The Knicks’ first official practice of the preseason didn’t just mark the start of camp - it offered a quick snapshot of where a few key names stand as the 2026-27 season begins to take shape.
Miles McBride looked sharp right out of the gate. The guard enters camp with uncertainty hanging over him as he searches for a new deal, while his expiring contract and the Knicks’ second-apron constraints have made him a frequent name in trade talk.
But on Tuesday, none of that noise seemed to bother him. Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News noted that McBride was on fire during three-point shooting drills, a strong sign for a player whose next step could matter a lot to New York’s options.
Deuce hasn’t missed since we walked in pic.twitter.com/DAx95DrHRn
If McBride starts the season well, the Knicks could have a few paths to consider. His play could boost his value as a trade chip, strengthen the case to keep him, or even push him into a bigger payday that makes him harder to retain. However it shakes out, the Knicks can only benefit if he keeps building.
Andre Drummond also made an early impression. Brought in as a cost-cutting move, the veteran big man is expected to help fill the Mitchell Robinson-sized void as the main backup center. He showed that he can already bring something useful to the table in pressure moments, stepping to the free-throw line and knocking down the shot that spared his new teammates from finishing practice with sprints.
Andre Drummond hits a free throw to help the Knicks avoid sprints pic.twitter.com/qQMRMVZRJF
That kind of moment fits with the progress Drummond has made at the line over the past three seasons, when he shot 63.1%, 62.2%, and 59.2% from the stripe. He also flashed real range in 2025-26, making 35.6% of his career-high 90 three-point attempts. For a team that saw Robinson targeted in the playoffs and had to pull him because of the disadvantage it created, any added offensive reliability from Drummond matters.
James Wiseman may be the most intriguing of the five veteran tryout players in camp. The former lottery pick still carries the burden of unrealized potential, but he also arrives with a built-in connection to Mike Brown from their time with the Warriors. That relationship was visible at the end of practice, when Brown pulled Wiseman aside and appeared to be coaching him up on something basketball-related.
Mike Brown pulls aside James Wiseman after the Knicks' practice session pic.twitter.com/lmYYyxNhh7
With the Knicks looking for center help, Wiseman’s path to a contract is obvious. The team has a need, Brown knows him, and there’s enough talent there to make the possibility worth exploring. But if he’s going to stick, it’ll be because he earns it.
There was also a quieter moment involving Mikal Bridges and rookie Tyler Nickel. The two were seen talking one-on-one during practice, and while it looked more like a friendly exchange than a hard basketball session, Bridges’ track record suggests he could be a valuable guide for the first-year player.
Mikal Bridges chats with Tyler Nickel pic.twitter.com/CgbyZNmhxk
Bridges has already shown a willingness to help younger teammates, including wearing Pacome Dadiet’s jersey during the championship parade to shine a light on a lesser-seen contributor. Given the way Bridges has grown into a fringe star who embraces defense, he’s the kind of player New York would want Nickel learning from as he tries to round out his three-and-D profile.
And then there was Rajon Rondo, an unexpected presence at practice. Rondo has been getting into the coaching world, including serving as a guest assistant for Doc Rivers with the Bucks and interviewing for the Pelicans’ head-coaching job. Jalen Brunson said after the workout that he’s gotten to know Rondo this summer.
"I've got to know him this summer. I definitely watched him, someone that was so creative and innovative in the way he played basketball.An icon when I was younger. Been really cool to get to know him and his family."
Whether that turns into anything more in New York is unclear, but Rondo’s background and basketball mind would make him an interesting voice to add around Brown.
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