The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has transformed trades into intricate puzzles. For teams like the Knicks, who suffered an NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, addressing clear roster needs — like bolstering size and physicality — is easier said than done.
Hard-capped at the $188.9 million second apron, the Knicks are operating with less than $600,000 in available space — insufficient even to sign a veteran minimum player. Adding to their difficulties are new CBA rules that prohibit salary aggregation and tightly restrict incoming salary for teams near the second apron. These changes have created an increasingly unforgiving roster-building landscape, forcing the Knicks — and teams in similar situations — to find creative solutions.
For a Knicks squad with clear room for improvement and championship aspirations, navigating these tricky waters might not just be a challenge but a necessity.
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The Knicks’ CBA Challenges
The Knicks face significant constraints under the new CBA, including limits on salary aggregation and tight salary-matching rules for teams near the second apron.
Having used aggregation in their offseason trades for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks are now prohibited from combining multiple players’ salaries in future deals.
Furthermore, they cannot take back more salary than they send out, even if it leaves them just shy of the $188.9 million second-apron hard cap. These restrictions leave the Knicks navigating a narrow path in pursuit of meaningful roster upgrades.
Consider the Knicks’ current starting five — Jalen Brunson, Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Bridges — who anchor the league’s best offense.
If the front office deems all five starters “untouchable” in trade discussions, their ability to acquire impactful talent becomes razor-thin.
Without moving a core starter, the Knicks would be restricted to targeting players with salaries below Mitchell Robinson’s $14.3 million figure for the 2024-25 season.
However, Robinson’s trade value remains uncertain as he has yet to make his season debut while recovering from offseason ankle surgery.
Initially expected to return in December, his timeline has since been pushed back to January or February, adding another layer of complexity to New York’s trade calculus.
The Knicks could move him, but they might want to evaluate a Robinson-Towns front-court combo. Whether or not there will be enough time ahead of the Feb. 6 NBA Trade Deadline remains to be seen.
The Knicks also have Precious Achiuwa ($6 million), Miles McBride ($4.7 million), and a handful of minimum-salary deals (Cam Payne, Jericho Sims, Pacome Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, Matt Ryan, and Ariel Hukporti) to move in any trade.
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But even in an expanded trade featuring more than one partner, offloading a minimum-salary player for a conditional draft pick would not create additional flexibility to absorb more salary in another leg of the deal.
Adding to the timing crunch, Ryan and Hukporti—signed mid-season—only become trade-eligible one day before the Feb. 6 NBA Trade Deadline.
Plus, the Knicks’ draft cupboard is bare
The Knicks mortgaged five first-round picks for Bridges, leaving their next potential first-rounder—a conditional pick from Washington—in doubt. The Wizards, currently in last place, must land outside the bottom-10 in 2025 for the pick to convey. If not, the Knicks receive two second-rounders in 2026 and 2027—far from the first-round asset they need to facilitate a major trade.
With only their 2026, 2030, and 2032 first-round picks left (restricted by the Ted Stepien Rule), the Knicks must rely on their surplus of second-rounders to sweeten deals, a limited resource given the roster upgrades they need.
Why Dec. 15 Matters
Dec. 15 marks the start of “trade season,” when most players who signed offseason contracts become trade-eligible, expanding the pool of assets available for negotiations.
For the Knicks, this date is critical. Achiuwa and Payne — both offseason additions — will be eligible to move.
Achiuwa waived his no-trade clause to re-sign on a one-year, $6 million deal, while Payne has exceeded expectations on a veteran’s minimum contract.
Both players could be pivotal trade assets as the Knicks explore their options ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.
The League-Wide Picture
The Knicks are far from alone in their trade-season intrigue. Below is a comprehensive list of players who will become trade-eligible on Dec. 15.
With more than a quarter of the season complete, teams now have a clearer picture of their needs and aspirations. As the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches, these players could become key pieces in the league’s evolving trade market.
Newly Trade-Eligible Players by Team (Effective Dec. 15)
Atlanta Hawks
C Cody Zeller
F Vit Krejci
Boston Celtics
C Xavier Tillman
C Neemias Queta
C Luke Kornet
Brooklyn Nets
C Nic Claxton
F Trendon Watford
G Keon Johnson
Charlotte Hornets
G Seth Curry
C Taj Gibson
Chicago Bulls
F Jalen Smith
F Talen Horton-Tucker
Cleveland Cavaliers
C Tristan Thompson
Dallas Mavericks
F Klay Thompson
F Naji Marshall
G Spencer Dinwiddie
F Markieff Morris
G Brandon Williams
Denver Nuggets
F Dario Saric
G Russell Westbrook
C DeAndre Jordan
F Vlatko Cancar
Detroit Pistons
F Tobias Harris
F Simone Fontecchio
G Malik Beasley
F Bobi Klintman
Golden State Warriors
G De’Anthony Melton
F Kyle Anderson
G Buddy Hield
Houston Rockets
G Aaron Holiday
Indiana Pacers
F Pascal Siakam
F Obi Toppin
C James Wiseman
F James Johnson
G Johnny Furpy
Los Angeles Clippers
G James Harden
F Derrick Jones Jr.
G Kris Dunn
F Nic Batum
G Kevin Porter Jr.
C Mo Bamba
G Cameron Christie
Memphis Grizzlies
G Luke Kennard
F Jaylen Wells
Miami Heat
F Haywood Highsmith
C Kevin Love
G Alec Burks
G Pelle Larsson
F Josh Christopher
Minnesota Timberwolves
C Luka Garza
F Joe Ingles
F PJ Dozier
New Orleans Pelicans
C Daniel Theis
G Javonte Green
F Karlo Matkovic
F Antonio Reeves
New York Knicks
F Precious Achiuwa
G Cameron Payne
Oklahoma City Thunder
C Isaiah Hartenstein
Orlando Magic
G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
F Mo Wagner
C Goga Bitadze
G Gary Harris
G Cory Joseph
Philadelphia 76ers
F Paul George
F Caleb Martin
F Kelly Oubre Jr.
C Andre Drummond
G Eric Gordon
G Reggie Jackson
G Kyle Lowry
F Guerschon Yabusele
C Adem Bona
Phoenix Suns
F Royce O’Neale
F Josh Okogie
G Tyus Jones
G Damion Lee
G Monte Morris
F Bol Bol
C Oso Ighodaro
G Collin Gillespie
G TyTy Washington
Portland Trail Blazers
F Justin Minaya
Sacramento Kings
F DeMar DeRozan
G Malik Monk
C Alex Len
C Orlando Robinson
San Antonio Spurs
G Chris Paul
C Charles Bassey
F Sandro Mamukelashvili
Toronto Raptors
G Immanuel Quickley
G Garrett Temple
F Jonathan Mob
G Jamal Shead
Utah Jazz
C Drew Eubanks
G Svi Mykhailiuk
G Johnny Juzang
F Kyle Filipowski
G Patty Mills
Washington Wizards
C Jonas Valanciunas
F Saddiq Bey
F Anthony Gill
As the Feb. 6 NBA Trade Deadline approaches, Dec. 15 marks a critical juncture for the Knicks and other teams striving to navigate the unforgiving constraints of the new CBA.
For New York, crafting creative solutions within these limitations is no longer just a challenge — it’s a necessity. Their ability to contend for a title hinges on how effectively they maneuver through this high-stakes negotiation period, a reality underscored by their evolving roster needs and shrinking room for error.
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