Could the Knicks Be Forced Into an Unexpected Roster Move?
The New York Knicks still have some unfinished business this offseason, and it could leave second-year guard Tyler Kolek on the outside looking in.
While the expectation has been that the Knicks would sign one more veteran and then finalize their roster with rookie Mohamed Diawara on a minimum deal, recent reporting suggests the front office might be thinking bigger. If New York wants to bring in two experienced veterans, they’ll need to clear space — and that likely means making a trade.
Knicks Can’t Add a Second Veteran Without a Move
SNY’s Ian Begley recently hinted on The Putback podcast that the Knicks might not be done with just one addition. “I would not rule out the idea that the Knicks want to bring in another veteran in addition to [Landry] Shamet,” Begley said. “And the only way to do that is to make a trade.”
The math checks out. Two veterans with more than two years of experience would cost the Knicks just under $4.6 million. But New York currently has only $3.7 million in wiggle room beneath the second apron. That $900,000 gap doesn’t sound like much, but with the league’s cap restrictions — and the requirement that teams carry at least 14 players — it complicates things.
The Knicks don’t have many throwaway contracts. Sure, they could construct a larger deal involving rotation players like Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, or Deuce McBride, but all three are needed contributors. That leaves the spotlight squarely on the back end of the roster.
Decision Likely Between Kolek and Dadiet
If the Knicks push ahead with two veteran signings, the choice likely comes down to Tyler Kolek or rookie wing Pacome Dadiet. Both are on small, movable contracts that could free enough space under the apron once swapped for a rookie minimum.
Kolek’s situation is particularly vulnerable. Though he was drafted with the reputation of being NBA-ready at age 24, he hasn’t carved out a role behind Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo. New York’s search for another guard already signals concern about his fit in the rotation.
Dadiet, meanwhile, benefits from positional scarcity. The Knicks are thinner on the wing, and at just 19 years old, he represents long-term upside the team may be unwilling to part with.
The Bigger Picture
Neither Kolek nor Dadiet was expected to see heavy minutes this season, but New York can’t afford to keep both if the plan is to double down on veteran help. Unless the front office shifts gears, the writing on the wall suggests Kolek could be moved before training camp.
For a team short on young prospects, it isn’t an easy call. Still, if the Knicks prioritize proven experience over developmental depth, Kolek’s time in New York may be cut short.
