Why Knicks should go into second apron as they look to repeat next season

Ever since Knicks team owner James Dolan declared that the team cannot go into the second apron on WFAN’s Carton Show earlier in June, every move the club has made so far has hinted at going down that path.

This week’s NBA Draft saw the Knicks trade out of the first round — and a guaranteed contract — and step down to the second round, where they continued to move back.

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Originally armed with the 24, 31 and 55 in the draft, New York ended up collecting a boatload of second-round picks in future drafts and selecting 39th and 47th overall, for players that will be on cheaper minimum deals or two-way contracts.

That series of moves hints at the Knicks trying to duck the second apron.

As free agency rapidly approaches this upcoming week, the Knicks should rethink their strategy. It will likely cause them to lose Mitchell Robinson and/or Landry Shamet in free agency, which could have an extremely negative impact on their chances of successfully defending the NBA championship next season.

Key cogs

Robinson and Shamet were vital contributors to the Knicks’ championship run. Both players’ performances were reflective of a Knicks roster that had depth where its bench filled in the gaps around New York’s stars.

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If the Knicks lose Robinson, it will be nearly impossible to replace him.

The seven-footer has been with the Knicks since he was drafted by the club in the second round in 2018. Robinson is a unique player. He’s been one of the top offensive rebounders in the NBA over the last several years. His work on the offensive glass has won playoff games for the Knicks.

In the championship clincher against the San Antonio Spurs, six of Robinson’s 10 rebounds came on the offensive end; this included an offensive board on a missed free-throw that pretty much sealed the title.

Shamet was a reliable two-way guard. On a minimum contract, he played credible defense, and was an effective outside threat, knocking down 47.5 percent of his three-point attempts during the postseason. Shamet was another perimeter option New York could go to if Mikal Bridges or Josh Hart had quiet…

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Publish date : 2026-06-27 17:25:00

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