To retain Isaiah Hartenstein and construct one of the NBA’s top rosters, the New York Knicks must carefully manage their salary cap. They are currently committed to $172 million in salaries, just under the first apron threshold of $178 million.
To gain the necessary financial flexibility, the Knicks are targeting the second apron limit of $189.5 million, which would enable them to extend Hartenstein effectively.
Protecting Key Young Talent: Why the Knicks Should Keep Miles McBride
Amid discussions about trading depth to free up salary space, the Knicks should prioritize retaining 23-year-old guard Miles McBride. Despite suggestions to include him in a trade for Mikal Bridges to gain an additional $4.7 million in salary cap relief, McBride’s recent performance makes a strong case for his retention.
Last season, McBride averaged 8.3 points per game, with a shooting efficiency of 45.2% from the field and 41% from three-point range across 68 games. His solid performance underscores his value as both a reliable backup and a potential starter if needed.
Recent reports by Ian Begley of SNY have mentioned possible moves, including trading McBride or arranging sign-and-trade deals for Alec Burks or Precious Achiuwa. However, trading McBride could be a short-sighted decision given his promising trajectory and reasonable salary of $4.7 million for the 2024-25 season. His impressive .572 effective field goal percentage from last season further emphasizes his growing efficiency and value beyond just clearing salary.
In contrast, while trading Mitchell Robinson could save $14.3 million, the alternatives, such as Burks and Achiuwa, seem less enticing. The Knicks have already declined Achiuwa’s qualifying offer, and Burks may not attract significant market interest as a major addition.
**Future Flexibility and Depth Preservation**
Fred Katz of The Athletic reported that although McBride was considered in the Bridges trade discussions, the Knicks appreciate his value and are hesitant to trade him just for financial relief. This careful stance reflects the Knicks’ aim to preserve their roster depth while managing their salary cap strategically.
