While New York’s starting lineup remains under contract for next season, several important rotation players are heading into free agency, creating potential challenges for roster continuity.
Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet are both unrestricted free agents and are expected to attract interest from around the league.
Robinson could command offers around the $15 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, while Shamet is likely to receive proposals well above the veteran minimum contract he played on last season.
The Knicks currently project to sit roughly $10 million below the second apron entering the offseason.
However, retaining Robinson and Shamet while also bringing back players such as Jordan Clarkson, Jeremy Sochan, Mohamed Diawara and Ariel Hukporti would likely push the team beyond the threshold Dolan has publicly ruled out.
As a result, Leon Rose and the front office may be forced to make difficult roster decisions despite New York’s championship success, with maintaining financial flexibility now emerging as one of the franchise’s biggest offseason priorities.
Knicks Won’t Go Into Second Apron To Keep Team Together https://t.co/2YxBesxVF1
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 18, 2026
