Fresh off their NBA Cup championship, the New York Knicks find themselves in a position that's as precarious as it is promising. On the court, they’ve proven they can compete with the league’s best.
Off the court? The front office is walking a financial tightrope that could shape every move they make between now and the trade deadline.
Here’s the reality: the Knicks are hard-capped and sitting just $148,358 below the second apron. That’s not just tight - that’s suffocating.
So tight, in fact, that they can’t even sign a 15th player until April 2. That kind of financial squeeze forces tough conversations, and those are already happening behind the scenes.
The team is reportedly weighing whether to create some breathing room, even if it means moving smaller contracts just to give themselves a little more flexibility.
Two names that have come up in those internal discussions: Pacome Dadiet and Guerschon Yabusele. Dadiet is under contract through next season, while Yabusele’s role has all but disappeared in the rotation.
After logging over 27 minutes a night last season in Philadelphia, Yabusele is now averaging just 9.8 minutes in New York. That’s a steep drop-off, and it’s the kind of statistical dip that usually signals a player could be on the move - especially when every dollar matters.
But those are the small moves. The real intrigue? That centers around a much bigger name: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Now, let’s be clear - there’s no indication Giannis is available. But in the NBA, windows can open quickly and unexpectedly. And if that door even cracks, the Knicks have to ask themselves a massive question: Should they push all their chips to the middle of the table?
It wouldn’t come cheap. The Knicks’ draft capital is limited.
Their only tradable first-round pick is a 2026 selection from Washington - and it’s top-eight protected. That means there’s a real chance it never conveys as a first-rounder and instead turns into second-round picks down the line.
Not exactly the kind of asset that headlines a blockbuster.
They do have some tools to work with - a few future pick swaps and a couple of expiring deals, most notably Mitchell Robinson’s $12.9 million contract. But let’s not sugarcoat it: this isn’t a team brimming with trade ammunition. They’d have to get creative, and they’d likely need a third team involved to bring in the kind of assets that could actually get a superstar deal done.
So where does that leave New York?
In a fascinating spot. They’re good enough to be taken seriously, capped out to the point of inflexibility, and watching the league landscape like hawks.
If a star becomes available, they’ll be interested - that much isn’t in question. The real issue is whether they can pay the price to get in the room.
For now, the Knicks are threading the needle - trying to stay competitive, manage their books, and keep one eye on the horizon. The margin for error is razor-thin. But in a league where bold moves often define legacies, the next few months could be pivotal for a franchise that’s already tasted success and is hungry for more.