Roster battles, rookies and newcomers…
The Post’s Stefan Bondy breaks down the Knicks’ top storylines heading into training camp.
Best battle
The beginning lineup is ready and the bench rotation feels settled sufficient. But there’s no less than one roster spot up for grabs. The Knicks signed 5 established NBAers on nonguaranteed offers — Bruce Brown, John Konchar, James Wiseman, Drew Eubanks, Ochai Agbaji — and are letting them battle it out in camp. It’s just like last season’s fight between Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon and Garrison Mathews.
Assuming there’s no cap-clearing commerce before the start of the season, the Knicks only have room to maintain one participant and keep under the second apron. Since their place of want is middle, Wiseman and Eubanks have the inside observe. But Konchar or Brown may impress sufficient to compel Leon Rose right into a cap-clearing commerce, most logically by transport Pacôme Dadiet elsewhere.
Bruce Brown, now a Knick, celebrates during the Nuggets’
Game 5 win over the Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA
playoffs on April 27, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver. NBAE by way of Getty Images
Story to look at develop
There are three contract conditions percolating. Miles McBride, Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart have been eligible for extensions for months however still haven’t signed. We’ve already heard Towns is unlikely to achieve a deal before the season begins. According to sources, he’s being requested to take a reduction properly below his $276 million max. Hart isn’t leaving New York, however he also has a team choice in his current contract for 2027-28. So the Knicks aren’t pressed to make a deal until it is smart for either side. McBride is a protracted shot to signal even though he’s the most pressing.
Unlike Towns and Hart, there aren’t any choices in McBride’s contract, so he’ll turn into a free agent after the season with no extension.
Karl-Anthony Towns celebrates after hitting a 3-point shot during the third quarter of the Knicks’ OT
win over the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on May 19, 2026, at the Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Coach’s hardest challenge
Keeping winners motivated. Mike Brown has to assist the Knicks steer clear of complacency after capturing the title, and he has experience as the affiliate head coach of the back-to-back Warriors of 2017 and 2018. The chip can’t be faraway from the shoulders.
Most intriguing rookie
Not a lot is anticipated of the second rounder Tyler Nickel, and he’s most doubtless sure for the G-League, however his encouraging Summer League introduced hope of real NBA potential as a 6-foot-7 3-point specialist.
Most intriguing newcomer
Andre Drummond is truly the only rotational newcomer, representing an important piece as considered one of only two pure frontcourt gamers under contract. The Knicks want a productive Drummond, who has gained better taking pictures over the years however misplaced a number of his mobility.
Most notable absence
Mitchell Robinson grew to become a cap casualty because proprietor James Dolan didn’t wish to spend into the second apron, sending the former longest-tenured Knick to Boston in free company. Nobody on the roster can replicate Robinson’s rebounding and rim safety. But the Knicks can also fear a bit of less about accidents and free throws.
Biggest comeback
Miles McBride was great last season before present process a sports activities hernia surgical procedure, then rushed again and wasn’t the same in the playoffs. It bothered him. Now he’s getting into camp totally healthy for very probably a contract yr. McBride also has to re-establish himself as the top guard off the bench after Shamet’s emergence in the playoffs.
Miles McBride speaks with head coach Mike Brown during the second quarter of the Knicks’ win over the Spurs in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 5, 2026, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Don’t be stunned if…
The Knicks starters don’t play a lot in the preseason. They’re a veteran bunch, and perhaps rust is an issue after three months off, however chemistry is actually not an issue. The starters know their function, they know their strengths, and preseason minutes aren’t going to vary that.
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