Teams around the NBA are terrified of the second apron, and for good reason. For the New York Knicks, it might not be something the team can worry about too much, as their only worry needs to be on winning a championship.
If the Knicks have to deal with second apron issues after winning a title, every fan would be content.
However, it could also mean that the Knicks are trying to make a midseason trade instead of adding another player with their open roster spot.
Knicks are planning ahead of time
Jack Simone of FanSided had some intriguing thoughts about the Knicks’ situation, citing the words from Luke Adams of Hoop Rumors.
“There’s technically a way the Knicks could take a different route with that 14th roster spot, but it would require the team to shed some salary, either via trade or using the stretch provision (the latter will only be an option for a few more days),” Adams wrote. “The most obvious candidate for a cost-cutting trade might be 2024 first-rounder Pacome Dadiet, who didn’t get much run as a rookie and whose 2025/26 salary ($2,847,600) is above the minimum.”
Simone later went on to suggest that the Knicks are in a tough spot financially, and there aren’t many ways of landing a star or above-average player without massive tax implications.
MORE: Knicks trade idea ships out fan favorite for up-and-coming youngster
“The point is, the Knicks are in a bind from a financial perspective. There aren’t many ways of getting around the position they are in, but one of the options involves an active trade deadline,” he wrote.
Depending on how things are going for the Knicks in the middle of the year, there’s a very good chance they’ll be active at the deadline.
If at that point the Knicks have to add money to their books, it is what it is.
