The New York Knicks just created the ultimate competitive environment heading into training camp. With the spots filled to the max, how do you solve a problem when you have too much talent and not enough roster spots to keep everyone? New York fans used to pray for times like this.
Here’s what happened: The Knicks went out and signed Malcolm Brogdon, Garrison Mathews, and brought back Landry Shamet to one-year contracts. The harsh reality is that only one of Shamet or Brogdon can actually make the final roster. Keep all three new signings? That pushes the team into the dreaded second salary apron territory, and nobody wants that financial nightmare.
But here’s the kicker – reports are already whispering that the organization will have to trade someone for draft capital just to make this work. It’s the only way to clear a roster spot and solve this little conundrum they have created for themselves. Now, discomfort for the end of the bench is at an all time high as some are fighting for their NBA lives or their journey continues elsewhere.
The Heavy Guard Gamble
The New York Knicks didn’t accidentally stumble into this roster crunch. This was calculated, strategic team-building at its finest. Leon Rose and his front office seem to have a trick up their sleeve once again.
These signings are calculated risks, because the surface level doesn’t tell the whole story. Malcolm Brogdon isn’t just any veteran – he’s the 2023 Sixth Man of the Year winner, and they got him on a non-guaranteed deal. The guy brings leadership, proven playoff experience, and can handle the ball when Brunson needs a breather.
Landry Shamet coming back is intriguing as he was not healthy at the start of the 2024 season. He already knows the locker room, proved he could contribute in the playoffs last season, and gives the Knicks continuity. The ultimate pro, stay ready guy. Then there’s Garrison Mathews, which is an under the radar signing. Shoots well from the corners with a 58.0% corner three-point percentage in 69 attempts last season. Adding elite-level shooting at the end of your bench can’t hurt.
All three contracts are non-guaranteed , which gives the Knicks maximum flexibility heading into camp. It’s a solid gameplan – bring in the talent, let them compete, keep the best fit. What’s fascinating is how different these players are. Brogdon gives you ball-handling and veteran savvy. Shamet brings system familiarity and shooting. Mathews is a pure specialist who can space the floor. Mike Brown now has multiple looks depending on what the matchup demands.
The Financials
The Knicks have nearly $200M in active salary for 2025-26, placing them above the luxury-tax line ($187.9M) and first apron ($195.9M), but still just under the harshest ‘second apron’ penalty line ($207.8M). That means they’re already in the tax and subject to escalating tax penalties and first-apron restrictions, but not yet fully handcuffed by the second apron.
The Knicks created competition for roster spots while keeping their options open for trades. The front office enters training camp knowing this is their championship window. The approach balanced winning now with financial sustainability, something most front offices struggle to pull off. The result? A roster loaded with talent and depth. With 12 guaranteed contracts locked in, the Knicks have exactly two spots left under second-apron restrictions. That’s not enough chairs when the music stops. The quickest path would be to trade a player for draft capital. It’s the cleanest way to solve this without cutting productive veterans. Moving roughly $900,000 in salary creates enough financial flexibility to keep two veterans instead of one.
Tyler Kolek’s Nightmare Scenario
The second-round pick finds himself in basketball purgatory. Tyler Kolek is buried behind Brunson, McBride, Clarkson, and now potentially Brogdon. How do you develop when you can’t get on the court? Well now may be the time he earns his spot, or his opportunity might come elsewhere. That tells you everything about his current situation in New York.
These roster decisions will define both the team’s championship push and their future flexibility. Choose wrong, and you’re looking at potential wasted talent or missed opportunities. For both sides it seems they’ll be finding answers soon.
The Knicks potential lineup next season:
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) September 12, 2025
PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Mikal Bridges
SF: Josh Hart
PF: OG Anunoby
C: Karl-Anthony Towns
Bench:
• Malcolm Brogdon
• Jordan Clarkson
• Miles McBride
• Guerschon Yabusele
• Mitchell Robinson
• Landry Shamet
Will they win the East? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/N2SLm2h9Rt
Re: Knicks stacking non-guaranteed deals
— Lee Escobedo (@_leeescobedo) September 15, 2025
• Training camp = make-or-break for the end-of-bench guys (including kids).
• If a consolidation trade happens before the deadline, Leon already has the eye-test on who fits — and can lock them in to replace the outgoing depth. https://t.co/bJ349PKJHz
Making the Most of the Window
This is the moment Knicks fans have been waiting decades for. After last year, they want more. Fans have watched this franchise stumble through mediocrity for years, making questionable decisions and wasting talent. The pieces are finally in place for something special. Leon Rose and his front office have taken last year’s shortcomings and have addressed it the best they could. The depth behind Jalen Brunson is the most he has had during his Knicks tenure.
Mike Brown’s arrival changes everything about how this team will play. But here’s what really matters: this roster construction represents the strongest Knicks team in decades. This organization finally has the foundation to compete at the highest level. Training camp will sort out the roster battles. Someone will get traded. The financial maneuvering will get figured out. Those are just details. The real question is simple: Are the Knicks ready to seize this moment? Because championship windows don’t stay open forever, and this one might be their best shot in a generation.
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