Knicks Cap Situation 2025 off-season. Who wants to talk cap space?

[Luv those Knicks]

The 2025/26 Salary Cap is set

Salary Cap: 154.6 million
First Apron: 195.94 million
Second Apron: 207.82 million.

Knicks (and this is where I might start making errors), but looking at guaranteed contracts:

Kat, OGA, Brunson, Bridges, Hart, Mitch, McBride, Dadiet, Kolek, (McCullar - who I assume they keep but maybe not) and Huk (team option, probably keep),

That's 11 players, about 198 million, just under 10 million left to spend.

They have the tax payer MLE (5.6 million)

PJ Tucker is theoretically tradable and will be cut if he isn't traded. Mitch could be traded, but if he's healthy, I think they need him and he might get a better return on a mid-season trade. McBride is cheap enough to be coveted by another team, but NY can't take on salary and he was our 6th man a lot of last year.

Shamu might come back on a vet minimum deal. I'm not sure about Payne. If they sign a tax payer MLE, Precious will have to take a pay cut to come back. I'm not sure he'll get more than that elsewhere.

I love the financial aspect of the game. It's like chess . . . or maybe checkers, but it's still interesting to me. They have some room, but not a lot.

If they're going to have a suitable bench next year, I think a lot of it will depend on the 2024 rookies, Kolek, Huk, Dadiet & McCullar. I have mixed feelings on how well that will work, leaning in the direction of full-blown skepticism.

[Jalen Bluntson]

9mil seems like a safe guestimate.

Blah. 3 vet minis costs 10mil

[Luv those Knicks]

9mil seems like a safe guestimate.

Blah. 3 vet minis costs 10mil

I'm fairly sure it doesn't work like that. Vets get paid 3 million, but the cap hit is lower. Or, it can be. But this is getting into the area where I'm not crystal clear on the numbers.

[Jalen Bluntson]

9mil seems like a safe guestimate.

Blah. 3 vet minis costs 10mil

I'm fairly sure it doesn't work like that. Vets get paid 3 million, but the cap hit is lower. Or, it can be. But this is getting into the area where I'm not crystal clear on the numbers.

Ah. Here it is

In the NBA, the veteran minimum salary depends on the player's years of experience in the league. For the 2024-25 season, a player with no prior NBA experience earns a minimum of $1,157,153. Players with more experience earn more, with those having 10 or more years of experience earning a minimum of $3,303,771, according to Sports Illustrated. A team can sign multiple veteran minimum contracts, and the impact on the salary cap can be less for veterans with 3+ years of experience.

Here's a breakdown of minimum salaries by experience:
0 Years Experience: $1,157,153
1 Year Experience: $1,862,265
2 Years Experience: $2,087,519
3 Years Experience: $2,162,606
10+ Years Experience: $3,303,771

Veteran Minimum Contract Details:
Teams can use the veteran's minimum salary exception to sign players to contracts, even if they are over the salary cap.

There is a special rule for veterans with 3 or more years of experience: when they sign a one-year minimum contract, the contract only counts against the salary cap for the 2-year minimum salary amount.
For example, a player with 16 years of experience signing a one-year veteran minimum contract would only count as $2,087,519 against the cap, even though their actual salary is $3,303,771 says Hoops Rumors.
This rule encourages teams to sign veteran players by reducing the cap hit.

[Luv those Knicks]

9mil seems like a safe guestimate.

Blah. 3 vet minis costs 10mil

I'm fairly sure it doesn't work like that. Vets get paid 3 million, but the cap hit is lower. Or, it can be. But this is getting into the area where I'm not crystal clear on the numbers.

Ah. Here it is

In the NBA, the veteran minimum salary depends on the player's years of experience in the league. For the 2024-25 season, a player with no prior NBA experience earns a minimum of $1,157,153. Players with more experience earn more, with those having 10 or more years of experience earning a minimum of $3,303,771, according to Sports Illustrated. A team can sign multiple veteran minimum contracts, and the impact on the salary cap can be less for veterans with 3+ years of experience.

Here's a breakdown of minimum salaries by experience:
0 Years Experience: $1,157,153
1 Year Experience: $1,862,265
2 Years Experience: $2,087,519
3 Years Experience: $2,162,606
10+ Years Experience: $3,303,771

Veteran Minimum Contract Details:
Teams can use the veteran's minimum salary exception to sign players to contracts, even if they are over the salary cap.

There is a special rule for veterans with 3 or more years of experience: when they sign a one-year minimum contract, the contract only counts against the salary cap for the 2-year minimum salary amount.
For example, a player with 16 years of experience signing a one-year veteran minimum contract would only count as $2,087,519 against the cap, even though their actual salary is $3,303,771 says Hoops Rumors.
This rule encourages teams to sign veteran players by reducing the cap hit.

That's a good find.

Even at 2 million per, that's going to eat up their cap space pretty quick. 4-5 million for a free agent. 2 million for a vet minimum or possibly 2, that's already 8-9 million. A 2nd round pick and maybe a Euro on two ways. There's not a lot of room to work with. . . .

I'm not super optimistic that the team will be sufficiently filled out, but time will tell.

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

Assuming no trades, it is basically two vet min contracts and a taxpayer MLE.

The Knicks could theoretically sign two non first rounds picks for $1m each in place of one of the vet min contracts. However they already have (we assume) four of last year's rookies all of who have essentially no real experience in the league. Do you really want to add another two to that?

[Luv those Knicks]

Assuming no trades, it is basically two vet min contracts and a taxpayer MLE.

The Knicks could theoretically sign two non first rounds picks for $1m each in place of one of the vet min contracts. However they already have (we assume) four of last year's rookies all of who have essentially no real experience in the league. Do you really want to add another two to that?

They could create a bit of space via trade. Dadiet makes 2.9. If they trade Dadiet for a 2nd rounder that makes room for another vet minimum deal. I'm not saying they should do that, but right up against the cap, if there are some nice vets available and willing to sign for 3 million (2 million against the cap) and with a coach who'd use them, that might be an option.

Huk (1.9) and Kolek (2.1) are probably keepers. McCullar, I think, could repeat on a two-way deal, depending on who else they might add for a 2-way. Perhaps graduating to a full season deal mid-way through the year like Huk did last year.

The 2026 off-season they'll have a lot more room to play, ,with Bridges & Mitch as free agents, but that's a year away and so much can happen between now and then. This off-season is going to be snug, signing wise.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Assuming no trades, it is basically two vet min contracts and a taxpayer MLE.

The Knicks could theoretically sign two non first rounds picks for $1m each in place of one of the vet min contracts. However they already have (we assume) four of last year's rookies all of who have essentially no real experience in the league. Do you really want to add another two to that?

They could create a bit of space via trade. Dadiet makes 2.9. If they trade Dadiet for a 2nd rounder that makes room for another vet minimum deal. I'm not saying they should do that, but right up against the cap, if there are some nice vets available and willing to sign for 3 million (2 million against the cap) and with a coach who'd use them, that might be an option.

Huk (1.9) and Kolek (2.1) are probably keepers. McCullar, I think, could repeat on a two-way deal, depending on who else they might add for a 2-way. Perhaps graduating to a full season deal mid-way through the year like Huk did last year.

The 2026 off-season they'll have a lot more room to play, ,with Bridges & Mitch as free agents, but that's a year away and so much can happen between now and then. This off-season is going to be snug, signing wise.

That's if Bridges makes it to FA. You don't think they will want to re-sign him? That would be a disaster on so many levels.

Mitch is a different story for obvious reasons.

I think they will try to tighten up the bench this year without going over the 2nd apron. Next year will be extensions putting us over the second apron. Along with possible trades we make this year at any point. For example, we trade Mitch for another player and he needs to get paid next year. We will always have vet mini ring chaser deals and draft picks every other year to work with after that.

The window is very tight. We can't afford any mistakes and, I believe the FO is aware of this. We have a bunch of talent that actually fits if you use it right. They carried us to the ECF fighting that losing battle. Now we have to see what the next HC can add to the mix.

[8516knicks]

When do you think they decide if any of last year's rookies is worth keeping into a new contract? And is Dadiet worth 2.9 million over using that money and some of the rest available for a sturdy vet big to supplement Mitch?

[Luv those Knicks]

That's if Bridges makes it to FA. You don't think they will want to re-sign him? That would be a disaster on so many levels.

Mitch is a different story for obvious reasons.

I think they will try to tighten up the bench this year without going over the 2nd apron. Next year will be extensions putting us over the second apron. Along with possible trades we make this year at any point. For example, we trade Mitch for another player and he needs to get paid next year. We will always have vet mini ring chaser deals and draft picks every other year to work with after that.

The window is very tight. We can't afford any mistakes and, I believe the FO is aware of this. We have a bunch of talent that actually fits if you use it right. They carried us to the ECF fighting that losing battle. Now we have to see what the next HC can add to the mix.

Bridges is an interesting case. They don't have to decide this off-season as he's under an affordable contract this year. If he turns into an all-star, that could be a problem as he could demand big money and maybe get some big offers next summer. If he stays as our 3rd or 4th best player, then I think it's negotiation time. Extending him this off-season might be an option but I'm not sure how that affects the cap. I'm guessing, if it's an extension, then his 2025 cap hit remains unchanged (unlike baseball where the extension changes the cap hit)

He's in the wait and see category, maybe try to extend maybe dangle in trades and see what gets offered. There are a few ways he could play out.

[Luv those Knicks]

When do you think they decide if any of last year's rookies is worth keeping into a new contract? And is Dadiet worth 2.9 million over using that money and some of the rest available for a sturdy vet big to supplement Mitch?

Dadiet & Kolek are already under guaranteed contract for 2026. I think the Huk extension is a no brainer at 1.9, so the only question is McCullar. I'm not crystal clear on the McCullar extension deadline. I think it's the end of June and I think they could offer him a two way or a fully guaranteed contract for less than the vet minimum. Maybe even a partially guaranteed contract . . . not sure. McCullar looks like a good guy to keep because I think they can have him on the roster for less than the vet minimum. He showed enough last year, where I think that makes sense. Maybe they can start him on a two way and convert it to a guaranteed contract mid-year like they did last year with Huk.

Again - not crystal clear on the specifics.

[Jalen Bluntson]

That's if Bridges makes it to FA. You don't think they will want to re-sign him? That would be a disaster on so many levels.

Mitch is a different story for obvious reasons.

I think they will try to tighten up the bench this year without going over the 2nd apron. Next year will be extensions putting us over the second apron. Along with possible trades we make this year at any point. For example, we trade Mitch for another player and he needs to get paid next year. We will always have vet mini ring chaser deals and draft picks every other year to work with after that.

The window is very tight. We can't afford any mistakes and, I believe the FO is aware of this. We have a bunch of talent that actually fits if you use it right. They carried us to the ECF fighting that losing battle. Now we have to see what the next HC can add to the mix.

Bridges is an interesting case. They don't have to decide this off-season as he's under an affordable contract this year. If he turns into an all-star, that could be a problem as he could demand big money and maybe get some big offers next summer. If he stays as our 3rd or 4th best player, then I think it's negotiation time. Extending him this off-season might be an option but I'm not sure how that affects the cap. I'm guessing, if it's an extension, then his 2025 cap hit remains unchanged (unlike baseball where the extension changes the cap hit)

He's in the wait and see category, maybe try to extend maybe dangle in trades and see what gets offered. There are a few ways he could play out.

If they extend him this summer it will kick in after next season. I am not sure but, almost positive he will lose an extra year and about 3mil per if he signs a max now vs waiting a year. Which would be OG money. If you think he is gonna settle for less than a max, I will say I really doubt that. His extension will eat up a lot of the cap space we have unless he takes quite a bit less than a max deal.

I don't think it's wait and see. If he doesn't want to sign an extension he will traded before we can shake our heads at the return. I don't think they traded for him without knowing this. I don't think they fire Thibs of they are willing to get rid of Mikal. I don't know what's going on behind he scenes either. Just trying to make sense of it as I see it. You don't sell all of your picks for a rental.

[Jalen Bluntson]

When do you think they decide if any of last year's rookies is worth keeping into a new contract? And is Dadiet worth 2.9 million over using that money and some of the rest available for a sturdy vet big to supplement Mitch?

Dadiet & Kolek are already under guaranteed contract for 2026. I think the Huk extension is a no brainer at 1.9, so the only question is McCullar. I'm not crystal clear on the McCullar extension deadline. I think it's the end of June and I think they could offer him a two way or a fully guaranteed contract for less than the vet minimum. Maybe even a partially guaranteed contract . . . not sure. McCullar looks like a good guy to keep because I think they can have him on the roster for less than the vet minimum. He showed enough last year, where I think that makes sense. Maybe they can start him on a two way and convert it to a guaranteed contract mid-year like they did last year with Huk.

Again - not crystal clear on the specifics.

I thought all three are team options. Kolek/Dadiet/Huk. Also PJ Tucker has a 3.5 mil TO as well. I haven't checked though. Lazy Sunday.

[Wildcat]

When do you think they decide if any of last year's rookies is worth keeping into a new contract? And is Dadiet worth 2.9 million over using that money and some of the rest available for a sturdy vet big to supplement Mitch?

Dadiet & Kolek are already under guaranteed contract for 2026. I think the Huk extension is a no brainer at 1.9, so the only question is McCullar. I'm not crystal clear on the McCullar extension deadline. I think it's the end of June and I think they could offer him a two way or a fully guaranteed contract for less than the vet minimum. Maybe even a partially guaranteed contract . . . not sure. McCullar looks like a good guy to keep because I think they can have him on the roster for less than the vet minimum. He showed enough last year, where I think that makes sense. Maybe they can start him on a two way and convert it to a guaranteed contract mid-year like they did last year with Huk.

Again - not crystal clear on the specifics.

I thought all three are team options. Kolek/Dadiet/Huk. Also PJ Tucker has a 3.5 mil TO as well. I haven't checked though. Lazy Sunday.

Tucker 3.4 and Hulk 1.9 team options for this season. I think next season or the season after Kolek and Dadiet have their team options.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Dadiet & Kolek are already under guaranteed contract for 2026. I think the Huk extension is a no brainer at 1.9, so the only question is McCullar. I'm not crystal clear on the McCullar extension deadline. I think it's the end of June and I think they could offer him a two way or a fully guaranteed contract for less than the vet minimum. Maybe even a partially guaranteed contract . . . not sure. McCullar looks like a good guy to keep because I think they can have him on the roster for less than the vet minimum. He showed enough last year, where I think that makes sense. Maybe they can start him on a two way and convert it to a guaranteed contract mid-year like they did last year with Huk.

Again - not crystal clear on the specifics.

I thought all three are team options. Kolek/Dadiet/Huk. Also PJ Tucker has a 3.5 mil TO as well. I haven't checked though. Lazy Sunday.

Tucker 3.4 and Hulk 1.9 team options for this season. I think next season or the season after Kolek and Dadiet have their team options.

Thanks

. I'm prepared for minimal changes this summer. This FO is full of surprises but, I won't drift off into dreams of grandeur though. I think they have faith in the core and that the HC was a disappointment to them. I don't see anyone outside of Hart as a trade piece from the starters. It all depends on the next HC I suppose. This uncertainty makes it all so difficult to gauge properly.

I would not be mad running it back and adding depth however possible. Somehow getting Hart out of the starting lineup would be fine by me as well.

[Wildcat]

I thought all three are team options. Kolek/Dadiet/Huk. Also PJ Tucker has a 3.5 mil TO as well. I haven't checked though. Lazy Sunday.

Tucker 3.4 and Hulk 1.9 team options for this season. I think next season or the season after Kolek and Dadiet have their team options.

Thanks

. I'm prepared for minimal changes this summer. This FO is full of surprises but, I won't drift off into dreams of grandeur though. I think they have faith in the core and that the HC was a disappointment to them. I don't see anyone outside of Hart as a trade piece from the starters. It all depends on the next HC I suppose. This uncertainty makes it all so difficult to gauge properly.

I would not be mad running it back and adding depth however possible. Somehow getting Hart out of the starting lineup would be fine by me as well.

Ditto. Unless there's someone out there that's head and shoulders over those 3 (Hulk, Kolek, and Dadiet), I rather see what those 3 rookies measure up.

[WaltFrazier]

Technical question. What is the status of Tucker, MarJon Beauchamp, Delon Wright, and Anton Watson as of now? Are they Knicks?

Beauchamp and Watson were on two ways, do they have and chance of returning?

[Luv those Knicks]

When do you think they decide if any of last year's rookies is worth keeping into a new contract? And is Dadiet worth 2.9 million over using that money and some of the rest available for a sturdy vet big to supplement Mitch?

Dadiet & Kolek are already under guaranteed contract for 2026. I think the Huk extension is a no brainer at 1.9, so the only question is McCullar. I'm not crystal clear on the McCullar extension deadline. I think it's the end of June and I think they could offer him a two way or a fully guaranteed contract for less than the vet minimum. Maybe even a partially guaranteed contract . . . not sure. McCullar looks like a good guy to keep because I think they can have him on the roster for less than the vet minimum. He showed enough last year, where I think that makes sense. Maybe they can start him on a two way and convert it to a guaranteed contract mid-year like they did last year with Huk.

Again - not crystal clear on the specifics.

I thought all three are team options. Kolek/Dadiet/Huk. Also PJ Tucker has a 3.5 mil TO as well. I haven't checked though. Lazy Sunday.

Kolek signed a 3 year guaranteed deal when they signed him. That's unusual for a 2nd rounder, but not unheard of. His contract started higher but ends lower than a late first round pick.

2.08, 2.19, 2.26 for this past season and the next 2. Then he has a team option for 2.4 so he's under control for the next 3 years at close to or even maybe a hair below vet minimum rates. Still, it's hard to feel bad for a 20 something year old who gets over 6 million in guaranteed money to play a game. A good deal for both sides. The Knicks considered taking Kolek in the first round, but the 2nd round deal gives them a bit more financial flexibility.

Dadiet, even though he signed for less, Rookies get a bigger boost going into year two. He's guaranteed 2.84 this year, more than a vet minimum deal, then for 26-27, 2.9 as a team option, then 5.3 for 27-28, then qualifying offer the following year. I have no idea if Dadiet will earn those 5 million dollar contract extensions. It's a little early to say.

Yes, Tucker has a 3.5 million team option, but I'd be surprised if they pick that up given his age. Maybe they could use him in trade discussions if they work out a trade in the next couple weeks. I have a hard time seeing them keeping Tucker with how tight their finances are. I think Delon Wright might be a keeper. I thought he showed a little more than Tucker. Just my 2 cents. They only have space for maybe 2, possibly 3 if they make a move . . . vet minimum deals, after that maybe part of the year deals like Shamet & Matt Ryan got last year, or 2nd round picks that fit under the cap.

- -

I wonder, all this talk about working out French players, maybe they like Dadiet and plan to keep him. He showed some upside last year. A mini French Connection. Maybe they could bring over Freddy Weiss as a coach. (kidding).

[JayTWill]

Assuming no trades, it is basically two vet min contracts and a taxpayer MLE.

The Knicks could theoretically sign two non first rounds picks for $1m each in place of one of the vet min contracts. However they already have (we assume) four of last year's rookies all of who have essentially no real experience in the league. Do you really want to add another two to that?

Personally I don't really mind adding another young player or 2. Not everyone that they brought in last year is going to develop into a useful player and only Kolek and Dadiet are on guaranteed contracts next season at the moment with Dadiet being the only one that was actually young for a rookie. The rest of them will be 24-25 at some point next season. If they haven't shown they contribute by then the Knicks may not keep them around much longer. Having another young player already in the pipeline could be beneficial.

The Knicks currently have 7 more experienced guys in KAT, OG, Brunson, Mikal, Hart, Mitch and Deuce that deserve playing time. If they find another quality vet for the taxpayer MLE that may leave a little playing time for 1 more vet min guy as the 9th man. If Huk isn't ready to fill in for stretches during the regular season if/when KAT or Mitch miss time I may be open to adding more veteran depth at the 5 but I would also be open to moving Hukporti if that were the case.

The 10th man may not be an everyday player and at this point I hope one of the young guys breaks out and cracks the top 9/10 man rotation. If the Knicks picked up 3 more vets at least 1 of them may have to be ok with sitting on the bench most of the time. I'm not sure what quality of a vet you can attract for that role.

[8516knicks]

Dadiet & Kolek are already under guaranteed contract for 2026. I think the Huk extension is a no brainer at 1.9, so the only question is McCullar. I'm not crystal clear on the McCullar extension deadline. I think it's the end of June and I think they could offer him a two way or a fully guaranteed contract for less than the vet minimum. Maybe even a partially guaranteed contract . . . not sure. McCullar looks like a good guy to keep because I think they can have him on the roster for less than the vet minimum. He showed enough last year, where I think that makes sense. Maybe they can start him on a two way and convert it to a guaranteed contract mid-year like they did last year with Huk.

Again - not crystal clear on the specifics.

I thought all three are team options. Kolek/Dadiet/Huk. Also PJ Tucker has a 3.5 mil TO as well. I haven't checked though. Lazy Sunday.

Kolek signed a 3 year guaranteed deal when they signed him. That's unusual for a 2nd rounder, but not unheard of. His contract started higher but ends lower than a late first round pick.

2.08, 2.19, 2.26 for this past season and the next 2. Then he has a team option for 2.4 so he's under control for the next 3 years at close to or even maybe a hair below vet minimum rates. Still, it's hard to feel bad for a 20 something year old who gets over 6 million in guaranteed money to play a game. A good deal for both sides. The Knicks considered taking Kolek in the first round, but the 2nd round deal gives them a bit more financial flexibility.

Dadiet, even though he signed for less, Rookies get a bigger boost going into year two. He's guaranteed 2.84 this year, more than a vet minimum deal, then for 26-27, 2.9 as a team option, then 5.3 for 27-28, then qualifying offer the following year. I have no idea if Dadiet will earn those 5 million dollar contract extensions. It's a little early to say.

Yes, Tucker has a 3.5 million team option, but I'd be surprised if they pick that up given his age. Maybe they could use him in trade discussions if they work out a trade in the next couple weeks. I have a hard time seeing them keeping Tucker with how tight their finances are. I think Delon Wright might be a keeper. I thought he showed a little more than Tucker. Just my 2 cents. They only have space for maybe 2, possibly 3 if they make a move . . . vet minimum deals, after that maybe part of the year deals like Shamet & Matt Ryan got last year, or 2nd round picks that fit under the cap.

- -

I wonder, all this talk about working out French players, maybe they like Dadiet and plan to keep him. He showed some upside last year. A mini French Connection. Maybe they could bring over Freddy Weiss as a coach. (kidding).

I was really asking if ANY are worth keeping vs. getting a decent vet or 2 and G leaguers filing out the roster?