Comments on: Knicks Morning News (2026.06.29)

By: Early Bird Writes

Early Bird Writes — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 07:57:23 +0000

If we sign Huk to the minimum, it cuts into the TP-MLE. We’d have around $3.7M instead of $6M.

We could sign Huk to a 2-way to preserve the full TP-MLE. But he’d be limited to 50 games and may not want the pay cut.

By: Yeahitsmemj

Yeahitsmemj — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:43:03 +0000

I have a theory. I think it goes back to that vindictive letter he wrote criticizing the leagues new TV media contract and hes not paying extra tax to the other owners especially when hes loosing money from less games on MSG

By: Raven is a Big Black Bird

Raven is a Big Black Bird — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:20:56 +0000

The idea of James Dolan actually being clever is bit of a far reach for me…

By: Z-man

Z-man — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 03:30:55 +0000

Is that good or bad in terms of retaining him?

edit: Alan seems to be suggesting it’s a good thing?

By: Alan

Alan — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 03:29:09 +0000

Apparently, the Huk thing was as expected. If they give him a qualifying offer and he takes it, he gets a no-trade clause and there are other problems. They’ll still try to re-sign him at another number.

Meanwhile, conspiracy theory going around, encouraged by Craig Carton from WFAN (who apparently is texting buddies with Guitar Jimmy) that the second apron talk is in part an attempt to leverage KAT into agreeing in advance to extend at a lower number — that if he agrees to that, Mitch comes back, second apron be damned.

By: Underground_Kings

Underground_Kings — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 03:20:22 +0000

Well https://x.com/NBA_NewYork/status/2071794514067362265

By: Z-man

Z-man — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 03:01:28 +0000

It was the gospel around here since the new CBA came about that the Knicks were destined for the second apron long before this, mainly based on the belief that the deeply-flawed hybrid method boxed Leon in to chasing a star and probably overpaying for the privilege, plus paying a premium to build a team around that star. Yet here we are. Obviously some 95+%ile outcomes involved, but it worked!

And in part for that reason, I’m not super-worried about whatever the marginal on-court value between Mitch and whoever takes those minutes. One of the main reasons is that Mike Brown is one of those 95+%ile outcomes. Maybe it’s a bit premature to dub him a “mastermind” but he definitely impressed the shit out of me with his ability to adapt the schemes to the personnel, both his and his opponents. So I’m expecting that he will keep whatever that marginal gap is as narrow as anyone could, and who knows, maybe even figure out a way to make the team better than we might expect, specifically in regard to C play.

By: Hubert

Hubert — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 02:51:01 +0000

And did that idea just come into my head while I was sleeping? And did I just wake myself up to walk into another room and write it? Yes and yes. Now good night.

By: Hubert

Hubert — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 02:44:47 +0000

The more I think about it, it’s really about KAT, not Mitch.

If the Knicks pay Mitch a multi year deal at $15M they go slightly over the SA now. But if KAT declines his player option for a 3 or 4 year extension averaging ~$50-55M/year, that trims enough off next year’s payroll to automatically get the Knicks under the second apron without having to do anything. It mathematically guarantees we will not be in the second apron two years in a row.

That’s the piece no one’s talking about, and I suspect it’s exactly what the front office is working on.

And KAT’s not even sacrificing in that scenario. He’s giving up a little salary in one year in exchange for more guaranteed dollars.

By: danvt

danvt — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 01:56:29 +0000

We’ve said goodbye to a good few legit players over the Leon years. There was similar handwringing over Hartenstein who also provided elite value. Julius was second team all NBA. Donte and IQ were excellent. We kept expecting RJ to really turn it on but his floor still exceeded Kevin Knox’s ceiling.

If I read Hubert’s comment right, even he, who sees Mitch’s strengths and isn’t scared of a year over the second apron, sees the crash course of exceeding that threshold for years running. Then, who’s out the door?

We’ve had the good luck to have dudes exceed the value of their contracts. What we need is to find more players we can sign cheap who will do just that.

Thing about Mitch is that he’s never going to have a better situation than here. We understand him. It’ll be sad, for him, ultimately, if more lucrative and exciting for a few months.

I don’t think Leon was caught off guard by Dolan’s comments. He’s making a bet that he can, in aggregate, replace Mitch’s production.