A few notes as we approach free agency at 6 p.m.:
The Knicks have virtually no interest in trading Miles McBride as part of the Mikal Bridges acquisition, according to people familiar with the matter. Keep in mind that the Knicks still need to add money to this trade to avoid being capped on the first apron. The current version of the trade would leave them limited to a team salary of about $178 million. They are certainly looking for ways to avoid this maximum limit. They can do this by sending more salary in the Bridges trade than they receive.
The team has discussed negotiations involving Jericho Sims, by sources. Sources confirm they have picked up Sims’ team option for 2024-25. The news was first reported by the New York Post. The club likes Sims and he can serve as a reserve if there is movement in the central position.
CENTRAL POINT
Speaking from that position, as SNY first reported, Isaiah Hartenstein He is expected to receive several significant offers in free agency. These offers make it highly unlikely that the Knicks will be able to keep him. New York has Hartenstein’s Early Bird Rights and can offer him a salary starting at $16.1 million and a maximum of four years and $72 million. As SNY first reported, Hartenstein is expected to have long- and short-term offers that are worth significantly more than what the Knicks can offer. Therefore, Hartenstein, who is hitting free agency after a strong season, would have to spend a lot less money to remain in New York.
Because of this, the Knicks may need to find a backup center in free agency. As we observed, André Drummond, Goga Bitadze It is Nick Richards are among a group of big names on New York’s radar if Hartenstein signs elsewhere. Drummond is expected to receive interest from multiple teams, much like Bitadze.
MORE SPACE SIX?
Another observation as we approach free agency: the Philadelphia 76ers are on the rise Paulo Jorge, as we all know. In the hours leading up to free agency, the Sixers were exploring ways to create more cap space to add players beyond George, according to people familiar with the matter. Among the many ways to do this: releasing a player whose salary is not guaranteed for 2024-25.
