Now that most of reveling in their first NBA title in five decades is over, the New York Knicks are back to the business of building a team for the 2026-27 NBA season. But according to reports, things are not off to a great start.
According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, the Knicks front office is willing to go over the second-apron this offseason in an effort to bring the supporting pieces of their 2026 title team back for another run. But Dolan has apparently balked at this idea and seems unwilling to sign off on such efforts.
If the Knicks don't go over the second-apron, they are likely to lose both Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet, two players who had noteworthy roles in their title win.
NBA fans quickly lambasted Dolan for getting involved in the operations of the team:
"Mr. Dolan may think he's redeemed himself in the eyes of fans for the years of ineptitude but that isn't so. He's already alienated many by politicizing the victory. If he blows up the core of the team, he'll lose whatever good will he received and will suffer even greater ignominy. They won't find anyone close to Mitch or Shamet in the discount bin," one user warned on X.
"Winning a championship just for James Dolan to immediately activate penny-pinching mode and ruin the repeat window is the most Knicks thing ever. Classic Dolan," wrote another.
"What’s wild to me is that they won a ring with this team.. wouldn’t it make sense to run it back even if it means going into the second apron?" a third wrote.
"Dolan got his championship. He’s going to be so difficult to deal with until someone else comes into power."
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A Rock & A Hard Place
On one hand, going over the second apron would allow the Knicks to basically try and run it back for a second straight NBA title. On the other hand, some of the penalties would effectively hamstring the Knicks from retooling if even a single thing goes wrong.
Some of the penalties include:
- No contract aggregation
- No cash trades
- No trade exceptoins
- No sign-and-trade deals
- Frozen draft picks
And if the Knicks find themselves over the second-apron for multiple years, the penalties can get even worse.
Is it worth it?
