Just days before their season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks finalized the roster they’ll carry into the regular season.
That group includes only 14 players on standard NBA contracts, one short of the league maximum of 15.
So why the empty spot?
Why are the Knicks only rolling into the year with 14 players on their NBA roster?
The Knicks are bumping up against the NBA’s second luxury tax apron, set at $207.8 million, with minimal breathing room ahead of the season. If the Knicks spend beyond that limit, they will face heavy restrictions on trades or signings. The hard cap was initially triggered when they used part of their taxpayer mid-level exception to bring in forward Guerschon Yabusele.
Both Landry Shamet and Mohamed Diawara will move to non-guaranteed contracts, though those deals now begin counting toward the Knicks’ daily salary cap, tax, and apron calculations. If they remain on the roster, both of their contracts will become fully guaranteed on January 10.
By estimate, New York sits roughly $148,000 below the second apron, meaning the team doesn’t have enough space to sign a veteran minimum player until around April 2.
That number could change if Shamet or Diawara is waived, but the Knicks would still need to add another player to reach the 14-man minimum. A trade could also open additional room under the hard cap.
As Mike Brown’s squad tips off the season against Cleveland, the Knicks will open the year one player shy of the NBA’s roster limit.