Overview
- Knicks owner James Dolan and the front office have publicly said the team will operate below the NBA’s second apron, a payroll line that blocks many trades, sign-and-trades and use of certain exceptions.
- SNY reporter Ian Begley and other outlets this week said Robinson has drawn wide interest around the league and that at least one team was prepared earlier in the postseason to give him a starting job.
- On draft night the Knicks executed multiple trades that moved them out of the first round, netted five second-round picks and created about $3.2 million of extra payroll space, but that savings does not eliminate the apron limit.
- New York holds Robinson’s Bird rights, which would allow the team to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him, but apron rules and other roster priorities mean Robinson would likely need to accept a pay cut for the Knicks to keep him.
- If Robinson leaves, the Knicks would lose a homegrown defensive specialist whose Finals rebounding and rim protection raised his market value, and the team’s next moves to protect its core and use the new draft assets will be the key things to watch in free agency.