The Knicks may already be staring at another uncomfortable offseason decision before the 2026-27 campaign even begins. After losing Mitchell Robinson to the Boston Celtics, New York is now projected to lose another important piece from its championship core: Miles McBride.
The reason is financial, and it’s been made plain inside the organization. James Dolan has made it clear to Leon Rose that the Knicks can stay in the mix, but not if the payroll climbs into the second apron. That reality has already pushed Robinson out the door, and McBride looks like the next player caught in the squeeze.
McBride did not sign an extension by the mid-August deadline, which would have required him to accept a cheaper agreement. Instead, he’ll play out the final year of his deal with New York.
According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, the expectation is that the Knicks will let him reach free agency without getting anything back in return.
“Unless the two sides reach an agreement before the start of the season, it feels like we’re heading toward a departure just based on history... New York did great business in 2023 when it signed an unproven-but-talented McBride to a three-year, $13 million contract.
The Knicks saw the development behind the scenes, and decision-makers figured they could get the second-round pick for a low price, while giving him some security. Since then, McBride has greatly outperformed this current contract,” he declared.
That gap between production and price is exactly why McBride stands out. His current contract is worth $13 million over three years, and he’ll make $3,956,523 in 2026-27, which places him 300th in the league by salary. For a player who has clearly outplayed that number, the deal has become one of the better bargains in the NBA.
The numbers also suggest McBride could keep beating the contract again if his Per 36 projections hold. In other words, the Knicks are looking at a player whose value is climbing while his cap hit stays modest.
If he does move on, several teams could be in the mix. Rebuilding clubs like the Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, and Memphis Grizzlies are all mentioned as possible landing spots. If New York wanted to send him somewhere that’s closer to contention, the Charlotte Hornets or Orlando Magic were also listed as options.
However it plays out, the Knicks appear headed toward losing one of their best value players because of the financial rules they’ve chosen to live by.
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