Knicks Unlikely to Extend Towns, McBride, Hart Before Season
A report casts doubt on the Knicks signing Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride, or Josh Hart to contract extensions before the season starts, citing
The New York Knicks are unlikely to sign any of their three prominent extension-eligible players before the season begins. Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride, and Josh Hart are all eligible for new deals, but financial and strategic hurdles make pre-season agreements doubtful.
Towns is eligible for a four-year maximum extension worth $272 million. Bondy reports that such a deal would create major salary-cap problems for the Knicks. For the front office to seriously consider an extension, Towns would reportedly need to accept a significant discount in the range of $180 million.
Extending Miles McBride presents a different challenge. Signing him now would remove what Bondy describes as arguably the team's most expendable trade asset. Josh Hart, meanwhile, remains under team control for two more seasons, including a team option for the 2027/28 campaign, reducing the immediate pressure for a new deal.
Coaching and Front Office Changes
The same report notes changes within the Knicks organization. Assistant coach Jordan Brink departed for the Chicago Bulls. Bondy hears that Brink considered the Bulls' offer too good to pass up and that the move offers a clearer path to a future head coaching role than remaining in New York.
In the front office, senior vice president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas was not retained after his contract expired. According to Bondy, Rosas was both eager for another opportunity and was not really offered a chance to return to the Knicks.
Pacers' Roster Strategy
Turning to Indiana, Tony East of CircleCitySpin.com predicts the Pacers will begin the season with 14 players on standard contracts, one short of the league maximum. Due to their hard cap status, the team is likely to wait beyond early November-when they could add a 15th player on a veteran's minimum deal-to fill that final roster spot if more depth is needed.
East also detailed the team's decisions regarding two-way contracts. The Pacers awarded these slots to Kobe Brown, Jalen Slawson, and rookie Braden Smith.
Bucks Hold Player-Organized Minicamp
The Milwaukee Bucks held a players' minicamp in Texas this week. The event, which was apparently organized by center Myles Turner, served as a team-bonding exercise. Nearly all members of the current roster attended the gathering.
