Knicks Morning News (2026.06.29)

So one more excruciating day before the mystery is solved. At least it seems that way. The mystery? To what degree do the Knicks run it back?

The smart money right now is on the stupid decision: Mitch is gone. Shamet stays. Anyone who has money on Dolan relenting doesn’t know Dolan. Not that there’s zero chance. Just something close to it, probably along the lines of hitting the lottery at the 14th spot under the outgoing system.

Assuming he doesn’t relent, what are the chances that Mitch stays and Shamet is the odd man out?

I’m putting it at about 20%. It would require Mitch to turn down something like $5+M AAV for whatever contract length he is offered.

First, is there any team with the cap space that is crazy/stupid enough to offer him a long-term deal of “starters” money? Meaning something in the $18-22M range, or alternatively, Josh Hart money? I’m guessing no, but it certainly isn’t impossible. And if that happens, I personally would understand the Knicks not competing with that offer. For me, the absolute max I would pay Mitch is the NTPMLE even allowing for going over the second apron.

So the question becomes, will Mitch be willing to sign for less than the NTPMLE, meaning like $5MAAV less?

Obviously it would be an extremely hard sell. Now, if anyone can sell Mitch on the idea, it would be Leon and WWW. But even so, that means means losing Shamet.

So my question to the board (and hopefully the answers are not loaded with Dolan hate, we’ve covered that ground) is:

Will Mitch take that discount if offered? And if yes, would you prefer that and losing Shamet over keeping Shamet and replacing Mitch with a combo of Huk and someone like Looney, Diabate, or Richards, to name a few?