Knicks 2026-27 training camp breakdown: Roster battles, newcomers and storylines to watch

The Post’s Stefan Bondy breaks down the Knicks’ top storylines heading into training camp.

Best battle

The starting lineup is set and the bench rotation feels settled enough. But there’s at least one roster spot up for grabs. The Knicks signed five established NBAers on nonguaranteed deals — Bruce Brown, John Konchar, James Wiseman, Drew Eubanks, Ochai Agbaji — and are letting them battle it out in camp. It’s similar to last season’s fight between Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon and Garrison Mathews.

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Assuming there’s no cap-clearing trade before the start of the season, the Knicks only have room to keep one player and stay under the second apron. Since their position of need is center, Wiseman and Eubanks have the inside track. But Konchar or Brown could impress enough to compel Leon Rose into a cap-clearing trade, most logically by shipping Pacôme Dadiet elsewhere.

Bruce Brown, now a Knick, celebrates during the Nuggets’
Game 5 win over the Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA
playoffs on April 27, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver. NBAE via Getty Images

Story to watch develop

There are three contract situations percolating. Miles McBride, Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart have been eligible for extensions for months but still haven’t signed. We’ve already heard Towns is unlikely to reach a deal before the season starts. According to sources, he’s being asked to take a discount well below his $276 million max. Hart isn’t leaving New York, but he also has a team option in his current contract for 2027-28. So the Knicks aren’t pressed to make a deal until it makes sense for both sides. McBride is a long shot to sign even though he’s the most urgent.

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Unlike Towns and Hart, there are no options in McBride’s contract, so he’ll become a free agent after the season with no extension.

Karl-Anthony Towns celebrates after hitting a 3-point shot during the third quarter of the Knicks’ OT
win over the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on May 19, 2026, at the Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

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Publish date : 2026-09-27 01:04:00

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