New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson appears willing to make some concessions in order to help the New York Knicks become a legit contender.

Fred Katz of The Athletic reported that the 27-year-old is considering accepting a max extension from the Knicks this offseason, which would mean he would sign for four years, $156.5 million.

While this is a substantial amount of money, he would be eligible for a five-year, $269.1 million deal following the 2024-25 season. That would mean he could earn an additional $113 million guaranteed and an average annual value of $53.8 million as opposed to the $39.1 million he would receive if he signed the extension this offseason.

Katz reported that Brunson is considering the deal as it would allow the Knicks to avoid the second apron and have a better chance at building a contender.

"A league source says it's one reason he's considering taking the cheaper extension, which could help the Knicks avoid the second apron in the immediate future, giving the franchise a better chance to win its first championship since 1973," he wrote.

Katz added that Brunson does value the security of signing the deal now and does not want to play somewhere else besides New York:

"The first reason the extension remains on the table, according to a league source, is security. Brunson has no interest in playing elsewhere, according to sources close to him. He has referred to the Knicks as "family" — in some cases, literally. He chose New York because of his deep ties with team president Leon Rose, head coach Tom Thibodeau and his father being an assistant."

The Villanova product had an outstanding 2023-24 season, averaging 28.7 points, 6.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 77 games. He helped lead the Knicks to a 50-32 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

While New York would fall in the second round, it made a major splash by re-signing OG Anunoby and acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. These deals should keep the Knicks toward the top of the Eastern Conference and make them a true title contender.

If Brunson were to go for the max value, New York may have to put less resources toward other areas of the team and that could hurt contention chances. Additionally, he would hit free agency two years earlier if he took this year's offer, which could allow him to cash in later down the road.

He has some more time to consider his options, as the offer cannot be officially sent until Friday.

The New York Knicks officially re-signed forward OG Anunoby to a five-year, $212.5 million deal on Saturday.

The lofty deal comes after just half a season with the team as he was traded from the Toronto Raptors in January, and Knicks president Leon Rose had high praise for the defensive-minded player following his signing.

"Since his arrival in New York, OG has personified the type of player and teammate this organization and city embody," Rose said in a statement. "OG's offensive and defensive presence is undeniable and was a huge part of our success last season. We are thrilled to bring OG back to New York and continue the process of building a team and culture that makes our fans proud."

.@nyknicks Re-Sign OG Anunoby pic.twitter.com/fiFVtqJOQg

— NY Knicks PR (@NY_KnicksPR) July 6, 2024

After joining the Knicks in January, Anunoby averaged 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. Though he dealt with injuries in the playoffs, he was huge for New York in its playoff run, notching 15.1 points and six rebounds per game as the Knicks came just shy of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.

Mostly known for his defense, Anunoby has transformed into a solid three-point shooter as well, draining 38 percent of his shots from distance last season between the Knicks and Raptors. New York, which had its first 50-win season in over a decade last year, went 26-6 in the games Anunoby played across the regular season and playoffs.

Now having secured Anunoby on a long-term deal, the Knicks will look to continue their trend upward next season. They've reached the conference semifinals in back-to-back seasons, but are clearly capable of more when fully healthy.

New York also added another huge piece this offseason, trading for Brooklyn Nets swingman Mikal Bridges. The All-Star-caliber player gives the Knicks an added boost on both sides of the floor and could be the missing piece to help them get over the hump.

New York Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson said on the Roommates Show that he has "no pain" in his surgically repaired broken left hand amid concerns following his recent WWE SmackDown cameo (conversation begins at 51-minute mark).

To rewind a bit, Brunson appeared on the June 28 edition of SmackDown at New York's Madison Square Garden. Brunson and WWE Superstar LA Knight confronted Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton and Logan Paul in the ring.

THIS IS AWESOME#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/lrQPRRmqb9

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) June 29, 2024

Brunson grabbed a steel chair and slid in the ring. As he got up, he motioned to (and stretched out) his left hand, perhaps worrying some Knicks fans about a potential re-injury or concern that all was not well. Brunson admitted on the show that he freestyled that part.

It turns out everything is just fine, though, as Brunson calmed all fears and said he is feeling no pain.

Brunson suffered the injury in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Indiana, which took place on May 19. He did admit he has no strength in his hand right now, although thankfully, the season is still well over three months away, giving him enough time to recuperate.

Jalen Brunson will have the chance to team up with his friend and collegiate teammate after the Brooklyn Nets traded Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks.

Bridges also joins his former Villanova teammates Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, meaning four former Wildcats will be playing in Madison Square Garden next season.

On his podcast, the Roommates Show, Brunson admitted that he didn't think a trade for Bridges would ever happen given the history between the Knicks and Nets.

"I never thought it would happen," Brunson said (15:10 mark). "I never thought it would happen, because, when's the last time the Nets made a trade with the Knicks?"

Brunson's logic for why he thought a trade wouldn't get done is sound, as the Knicks hadn't traded with their crosstown rival since 1983. It's also somewhat miraculous that Brooklyn's first trade with New York in more than 40 years happened to Brunson, Hart and DiVincenzo's close friend and college teammate.

The four were all a part of the Wildcats' 2015-16 national championship team, and they've since gone on to have respectable NBA careers. Now, they'll join forces to try to bring a championship to New York.

The Knicks are coming off a season in which they came one game shy of reaching their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. Behind an MVP-caliber player in Brunson, New York seems to be on its way to being a contender.

And adding Bridges will certainly help its case.

The former All-Defensive First Team member gives the Knicks another All-Star caliber player capable of making a huge impact. Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists last year with the Nets and will be looking to continue improving this year.

Another aspect of Bridges' addition is the unmatched chemistry he will have with Brunson, Hart and DiVincenzo.

The New York Knicks have signed first-round draft pick Pacome Dadiet to 80 percent of the rookie-scale contract, per Fred Katz of The Athletic.

Unexpected development: The Knicks have signed first-round pick Pacome Dadiet to 80 percent of the rookie scale, league sources say. The move will save the Knicks a significant amount, $904K, under the 2024-25 hard cap. Knicks also paid a buyout to his German team.

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) July 4, 2024

The Knicks previously bought Dadiet out from his contract with his previous team, Ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga in Germany, paving the way for his rookie deal, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Per Katz, Dadiet will make 120 percent of the rookie scale from the second through fourth years on his contract. And according to SNY's Ian Begley, the Knicks paid $850,000 for the buyout.

So the Knicks aren't stashing Dadiet in Europe. He can conceivably play on the G-League's Westchester Knicks or perhaps get some run on the NBA roster this year.

Ultimately, the Knicks didn't select Dadiet with the intention of relying on him right away. The Knicks have clear intentions to shoot for a championship with their big move to trade for Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, forming one of the league's better contenders to the Boston Celtics for their NBA crown. The rotation looks deep and loaded right now, so Dadiet can certainly take his time to develop before becoming a contributor down the road.

The Knicks also made other notable moves Thursday, signing-and-trading Shake Milton and dealing Mamadi Diakate to the Nets to complete the Bridges deal, per SNY's Ian Begley.

The Mikal Bridges trade appears to be fully completed with the New York Knicks gaining a bit of flexibility with the salary cap.

The Knicks are now under the first apron and have $17 million in second apron cap space for 2023-24, per Bobby Marks of ESPN.

New York Knicks offseason

The Knicks are $17M below the 2nd apron.

They have $2M in unlikely bonuses that count toward the apron. pic.twitter.com/UpbDktduea

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 4, 2024

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the New York Knicks agreed to a sign-and-trade that will send Shake Milton to the Brooklyn Nets. This completes the Bridges trade, and also sends Keita Bates-Diop to the Knicks.

Sources: The Knicks are signing-and-trading Shake Milton as part of Mikal Bridges/Bojan Bogdanovic trade to the Nets, who will also send Keita Bates-Diop to New York. Milton will sign a three-year, $9 million contract, with over minimum in year one and two non-guaranteed years.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2024

Milton will sign a three-year, $9 million deal prior to being sent over to Brooklyn. The deal has only one guaranteed year, which is for the 2024-25 season.

The deal helps close the gap in salaries between Bridges and Bojan Bogdanovic, who were the primary pieces of the June trade. Marks reported that the Knicks were able to use non-bird rights on the Milton deal, and are guaranteeing $1.23 million of Mamadi Diakite's contract, which also went to the Nets in the deal.

Signing Shake Milton at the end of the season allows this deal to be completed.

Because minimum contracts are not allowed to be stacked, New York is allowed to use non-bird rights (120% of $2.5M)= $3.033M for Milton.

To make the money work, New York is guaranteeing $1.23M of… https://t.co/DHUfPg5ick

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 4, 2024

New York is currently paying $172 million in salary for next season. That number is aided by first-round pick Pacome Dadiet, who signed a rookie deal that was 80 percent of the rookie scale, per Fred Katz of The Athletic.

Unexpected development: The Knicks have signed first-round pick Pacome Dadiet to 80 percent of the rookie scale, league sources say. The move will save the Knicks a significant amount, $904K, under the 2024-25 hard cap. Knicks also paid a buyout to his German team.

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) July 4, 2024

Here is a look at how the Knicks roster is currently shaping up.

Starters:

Jalen Brunson

Mikal Bridges

OG Anunoby

Julius Randle

Mitchell Robinson

Reserves:

Deuce McBridge

Donte DiVincenzo

Josh Hart

Pacome Dadiet

Keita Bates-Diop

Jericho Sims

Tyler Kolek

Kevin McCullar Jr.

Ariel Hukporti

---

Milton averaged 4.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 48 games in 2023-24. He split the season between the Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and Knicks, and only suited up in six games for New York.

Still, his presence in the deal is huge for a Knicks as it allows the franchise to bring in a notable player like Bridges without having to take significant penalties due to surpassing the aprons. New York could elect to bring in another player without crossing the second apron, but most likely will hold still and enjoy some monetary flexibility.

The Knicks went 50-32 in 2023-24 and earned the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. New York would fall to the Indiana Pacers in the second round, but hope the offseason additions will help it fare better in 2024-25.

New York Knicks star Josh Hart joked about Isaiah Hartenstein's split from the team after signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency.

"He's dead to us," Hart said on Fanatics Sportsbook's Roommates Show podcast with teammate Jalen Brunson and Matt Hillman.

“He’s dead to us.”

Full episode dropping today! pic.twitter.com/7uzWLAOMQy

— Roommates Show (@Roommates__Show) July 4, 2024

Brunson also revealed during the episode that Hartenstein texted him after signing with the Thunder, and the Knicks star couldn't help but troll his now-former teammate.

"He texted me, he was like, 'Yo bro, appreciate everything killa.' I was like, 'Who's this?'" (27:45 mark).

Hartenstein left the Knicks after two seasons to join the Thunder on a three-year, $87 million deal in free agency, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Knicks, a team limited by the salary cap and their pursuit of Mikal Bridges, offered the center four years and $72.5 million to stay in New York. That would have provided Hartenstein with less than half of the annual average value of his Oklahoma City offer, per Matt Ehalt of the New York Post.

Hartenstein averaged 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 75 games for the Knicks last season.

He stepped in for an injured Mitchell Robinson in the playoffs to help the Knicks come within one win of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Hartenstein will now play behind Chet Holmgren as the Thunder look to become a title contender, while the Knicks will need to search for another player to back up Robinson.

Losing their reliable backup center may have been a blow to the Knicks' roster depth, but it will make Hart and Hartenstein's reunion during the next Oklahoma City vs. New York matchup a must-watch game this fall.

The New York Knicks are "showing interest" in a potential trade for Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.

Scotto also noted that the Knicks have inquired about the availability of Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards.

New York could be looking to bolster its frontcourt rotation after former starter Isaiah Hartenstein left in free agency to sign a three-year, $87 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday.

The Knicks still have Mitchell Robinson under contract, and he started 58 regular-season games and 11 playoff contests during the 2022-23 season. His durability concerns may cause team president Leon Rose to consider other options, though, as he was limited to just 31 appearances last year due to ankle issues.

If New York is looking to prioritize rim protection with Hartenstein gone, Kessler is an enticing option. He's emerged as one of the association's top shot-blockers since being drafted in 2022, averaging 2.4 rejections per game throughout his brief career.

Kessler is only 22 years old and still has two years left on his rookie contract, which could make it harder for the Knicks to acquire him. New York's draft capital took a hit after the team traded five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges in a deal with the Brooklyn Nets.

Still, it appears Kessler is obtainable for the right price. Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reported on June 21 that "rival teams believe" Utah is willing to engage in trade talks involving the young center.

With Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and OG Anunoby in the mix for the Knicks next season, they may be searching for a low-usage center who doesn't need the ball in their hands in order to impact the game. Kessler appears to be one potential option.

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson isn't too worried about recent trade rumors.

"It doesn't really affect me at all," Robinson said during an appearance on The Roommates Show podcast with Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart (2:55 mark). "I mean, I really haven't been paying attention to it."

Robinson currently has two seasons left on a four-year, $60 million contract that he signed with New York in 2022. However, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported on June 21 that the Knicks "contacted opposing teams" about moving the 26-year-old.

That may no longer be the case, as former New York center Isaiah Hartenstein signed a three-year deal worth $87 million with the Oklahoma City Thunder as a free agent on Monday. Hartenstein started 49 regular-season games and 13 playoff contests with the Knicks last season.

BREAKING: Free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein plans to sign a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Hartenstein departs the Knicks for an enormous contract and gives OKC a new anchor inside. pic.twitter.com/DptmkuaP3v

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2024

As things currently stand, Robinson is poised to return to New York as the team's starting center season. He has plenty of experience in the role, as he's started 196 games since he was drafted by the Knicks in 2018.

Robinson is expected to serve as the rim protector on a defense that should remain strong after a busy offseason for New York. The Knicks traded for Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets on June 25, then re-signed OG Anunoby to a five-year contract worth $212.5 million.

While Robinson's defense and offensive rebounding should help New York next season, there are still some questions surrounding his durability. He's only appeared in at least 70 games during one of his six years in the association, suiting up in a mere 31 contests during his 2023-24 campaign.

As he prepares for a return to the starting lineup next season, potential trades don't appear to be worrying him.