Deuce McBride's potential contract extension is a hot topic for Knicks fans right now, and it's easy to see why. With the possibility of a four-year deal worth over $90 million on the table, McBride's future in New York is a major talking point. But if we take a closer look at the recent contract signed by Jordan Goodwin with the Phoenix Suns, it might just give us a glimpse into what the Knicks could expect to pay to keep their defensive ace.
Goodwin's new three-year, $19 million deal sets the stage for players like McBride, who bring defensive prowess without being traditional point guards. It's a clear marker for valuing these defensive specialists, and it might just suggest that the Knicks won't have to break the bank to secure McBride's services.
Comparing McBride and Goodwin shows some intriguing parallels. While it would be surprising to see McBride settle for less than $7 million annually, his shooting prowess gives him an edge. McBride's ability to drain over 41 percent of his threes on a high volume of attempts is impressive, placing him in elite company alongside players like Sam Merrill and Isaiah Joe.
Defensively, Goodwin might have the upper hand. His versatility and ability to guard multiple positions make him a standout, especially with a significant portion of his defensive assignments coming against wings. This level of positional flexibility is something McBride might not match, but both players share a similar role as three-and-D guards who aren't quite floor generals or full-fledged 2-guards.
Historically, these types of players haven't commanded the same market value as pure scorers, and Goodwin's contract reflects that ongoing trend. However, this could be a blessing in disguise for the Knicks.
The Knicks have been navigating a tricky salary cap situation, and Goodwin's deal could provide some relief. With the financial constraints posed by ownership's reluctance to exceed the luxury tax apron, keeping McBride at a reasonable rate could be crucial. The potential loss of key players like Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet only adds to the complexity.
For McBride, who hasn't yet hit the $20 million career earnings mark, the opportunity to secure a deal that reflects his market value is crucial. If his market value aligns closely with Goodwin's, the Knicks might just find themselves in a favorable position to retain a key piece of their roster without stretching their budget too thin.
In Other News...
Knicks May Have A Way To Keep Mitchell Robinson After All
Mitchell Robinsons next contract has become one of the more delicate Knicks questions, not just because he matters on the floor, but because of how tightly New York is trying to manage its books. Owner James Dolan has been reluctant to push too far past the NBAs second-apron luxury-tax line, which has made any long-term retention plan feel complicated even as the Knicks weigh how much they want to invest in keeping their center in place.
Still, there is a path for the front office to explore if Robinsons market does not spiral out of control. New York could use a short-term approach that keeps the roster together now and gives the team room to adjust later, with smaller trades and salary trimming potentially providing a way to get back under the line. The wrinkle is timing, because the Knicks would need enough flexibility to make that cleanup work before the leagues harsher penalties start to bind their future. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Just Got A Warning About How Brunson Could View This
Nikola Jokics looming contract choice in Denver has put a familiar fear back on the radar in New York: what happens when a franchise player has enough leverage to decide whether a max extension is really the move? For the Knicks, the name to watch is Jalen Brunson, whose future could eventually intersect with the same kind of decision point if the team keeps operating with a hard eye on its spending limits.
James Dolans reported reluctance to push the Knicks past the second salary apron only sharpens the issue, because that posture can shape more than just one contract negotiation. It affects how much flexibility the front office has now and how convincing the long-term pitch can be later, with the possibility of having to navigate tough calls on core pieces and, eventually, on the player the franchise would least want to lose. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Koleks Knicks Path Just Got A Lot Murkier
The Knicks backcourt picture got a little more crowded with news that the team has agreed to a three-year extension with Jose Alvarado, a move that reinforces the depth chart behind Jalen Brunson and trims the runway for Tyler Kolek. For a young guard trying to carve out a role, the timing matters. Every extra ballhandler changes the minutes math, the practice reps and the margin for error, and New York has made clear it values guards who can handle the ball, defend and keep the rotation flexible.
Kolek still has the kind of passing feel that can keep him in the conversation, but the path to steady playing time looks narrower now than it did before Alvarados return. The Knicks can try to get creative by using Kolek in more of a combo role, though that would come with its own ripple effects elsewhere on the roster. If the front office eventually looks for ways to balance the group, Kolek could wind up in the kind of trade conversation that often involves draft assets or bigger roster needs, which is why this latest move feels bigger than one backup guard signing. [Read more 🡒]