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Knicks navigating 2026 NBA Draft with second apron restrictions in mind

A few notes on the Knicks’ trades in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft...

As noted earlier Tuesday, the Knicks are operating as a team that will not exceed the second apron in team salary this season. 

That, presumably, was a factor in how New York approached the first round of the NBA Draft. 

They entered Tuesday with the No. 24 pick. At the end of the night, after three trades, New York ended up with five second-round picks and cash considerations. 

They also ended the night with $3.4 million in financial flexibility. If the Knicks selected a player at No. 24, they would have owed that player $3.4 million in 2026-27. 

Every dollar counts for the world champs as they navigate the second round of the draft and free agency on a tight budget. 

Entering the second round of the draft on Wednesday, the Knicks have roughly $211 million in committed salary to 11 players. That means they have about $10.8 million in room before they hit the second apron.

Given that, it will be nearly impossible for them to re-sign both Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet as things currently stand. They would need to shed significant team salary to make a competitive offer to either player. 

Both players figure to have aggressive suitors in free agency. 

The Lakers are in the market for a center. 

As noted Tuesday, they were among a group of teams to contact New Orleans about potential Yves Missi trades. New Orleans obviously didn’t like Los Angeles’ offers ahead of the draft. If the Lakers miss out on targets like Missi, logic says they will be interested in Robinson when he hits free agency. 

If Robinson leaves the Knicks, they would either need to convince a veteran free agent to take less money in signing with them or they would need to acquire a center via the trade market. 

The same is true for Shamet. If they lose the sharp-shooting reserve, they would need to get creative to replace him. 

In addition to Robinson and Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, Jeremy Sochan, Ariel Hukporti (restricted), Kevin McCullar Jr. (restricted) and Trey Jemison (restricted) are free agents. Bench favorite Jose Alvarado has a player option. He agreed to push the decision date on the player option to after the draft. This probably gives the Knicks flexibility as they navigate the draft and the second apron. It would be a surprise if the Knicks and Alvarado didn’t come to an agreement if he declines the option.

As far as the second round, the Knicks have three picks on Wednesday (No. 31, No. 47 and No. 55). The other four second-rounders they acquired on Tuesday will be in future drafts. 

ESPN reported that the Knicks are likely to trade out of the No. 31 spot. 

What about those later picks? St. John’s Dillon Mitchell has supporters within the organization. But drafting Mitchell – or any second-rounder – would cost the Knicks in team salary for 2026-27. 

This is where the second apron factors in. Do the Knicks spend team salary on a rookie or save it for a veteran who can help them right away?

Just my opinion: it’s surprising to see a team that has never been shy about spending money operate with financial restraint right after they win the NBA title. Maybe owner James Dolan ultimately changes course on second-apron restraints. In doing so, he’d give New York an easier path to retain its free agents. If not, Leon Rose and his group will have to get creative over the next two weeks to fill out the 2026-27 roster.

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First Round Draft Recap – Darryn Peterson brings hope to Salt Lake City

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Darryn Peterson after he is drafted second overall by the Utah Jazz during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 2026 NBA Draft will go down in the history books for the Utah Jazz. It really was a long time coming. Tonight, they selected their first top-2 pick since the 1980 Darrell Griffith selection. For weeks, there was a shakeup between the top-3. First, the Wizards-Jazz egregious mock trades (sorry, Ace is still ours, Wizards fans), then came the rumors that the Wizards preferred Darryn at #1, in addition to the consideration of Cam Boozer at #2.

The board fell as expected. BYU phenom AJ Dybantsa was the first name off the board in the 2026 NBA Draft, as well as the wails and cries of Cougar fans ringing off in Salt Lake City.

Then, it seemed as if the Ainge family was already on speed dial. At 6:13 am MST, Jake Fischer leaked the pick:

The pick seemed like a no-brainer. Utah could have paired the father and son Boozers (who fell the next pick to Memphis), but called through yet another draft bluff and took the consensus #1 high-school star. This moment will *hopefully* play in the back of my head for the rest of my days:

Jazz fans reacted just as enthusiastically, video courtesy of SLC Dunk’s very own Diana Allen:

But Darryn Peterson’s night wasn’t over. An hour later, he graced the cover of SLAM 263 despite being a #2 pick, rocking his brand spankin’ new black and purple threads. I’m no psychic, but I have the belief he may want to play here if he already did a photoshoot in a Jazz uniform during the weeks and weeks of rumors.

Darryn Peterson’s night refused to end. The draft marked the day Adidas signed Peterson to a long-term deal with Adidas, making it the top 5 richest rookie shoe deals in NBA history. No other prominent Utah Adidas rookies to mention…*cough* …none whatsoever.

As of the end of Round 1, the Jazz do not own a second-round pick, or any other pick at all after #2. They could attempt to add another rookie if they decide to reset their contract timeline. Or the Jazz could stand pat and relax in the Darryn Peterson cheers. They’re not in a rush to develop talent anymore. Now they’re ready for the big leagues to battle aliens and Greek freaks. Peterson is going to need time to figure out how to shoot at the NBA level, but Keyonte, Lauri, Jaren and Ace will have his back until then.

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Robbie Ray Stymies A’s as Giants Take Game No. 1

San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (26) on his way to second base steps on the right hand of Athletics of infielder Zack Gelof (20) in the 2nd inning during an MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Photo by Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

The Athletics took on the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game midweek series on a beautiful summer night in San Francisco. The Giants scored a pair of early runs that held up in the hosts’ 3-1 victory, snapping their losing streak and stretching the A’s skid to three games. Robbie Ray, a looming free agent, boosted his trade value by quieting the A’s offense over eight sparkling innings.

Giants Take Early Lead

Starting pitchers Aaron Civale and Robbie Ray each got off to a strong start, tossing scoreless first innings. The Giants took the lead in the second inning. Right fielder Jung Hoo Lee hit his fifth home run of the season, a solo shot to right-center field against Civale. Shortstop Willy Adames doubled and then third baseman Matt Chapman crushed a ball off the left field wall, bringing home the Giants second run of the inning.

A’s left fielder Tyler Soderstrom made a nice throw to catch Matt Chapman trying to stretch his hit into a double, but A’s second baseman Zack Gelof got his right hand stepped on while applying the tag and had to be replaced by Jeff McNeil. Gelof’s early injury-related exit ended his hitting streak at an impressive 24 games. He suffered a right hand laceration and contusion on that play. Thankfully, he avoided a more significant injury.

A’s Respond

Athletics’ right fielder Colby Thomas reached to start the third inning when Lee dropped the fly ball off his bat in right field. The A’s quickly capitalized off the Giants’ mistake. Third baseman Max Muncy singled to left, scoring Thomas to cut the Giants lead in half. Muncy proceeded to make a base running mistake, as Ray picked him off first base for the first out of the inning.

Civale Escapes Trouble

In the bottom of the fourth, the Giants hit two straight singles against Civale, putting two runners on the bases with one out. Civale struck out San Francisco’s catcher Daniel Susac to strand the bases loaded and end the threat.

Game Rolls Along

Having thrown 84 pitches through four laborious innings, Civale did not return for the fifth inning. He allowed two runs on six hits while striking out five and walking none. Left-hander Matt Krook replaced him out of the A’s bullpen, making his second MLB appearance of the season. The southpaw pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

Krook returned for the sixth, recording one out before giving way to right-hander Mason Barnett, who struck out Susac to escape a two on, two out jam and keep the score the same. Twice, Susac came up to the plate with runners in scoring position and two outs, and both times he failed to come through for the hosts.

Giants Extend Their Lead

In the last of the seventh, Barnett struck out the first batter before Giants’ designated hitter Bryce Eldridge walked and then second baseman Casey Schmitt recorded his second single of the game.

The A’s turned to left-hander Jose Suarez with two left-handed hitters coming up. First baseman Rafael Devers made the visitors regret the pitching change by grounding an RBI single up the middle with Eldridge just beating A’s center fielder Henry Bolte’s throw home to score the Giants’ third run of the game. Suarez retired the next two hitters he faced, stranding runners on second and third.

The A’s offense struggled against Ray. The “Green and Gold” swung at a lot of first pitches, allowing the Giants’ starter to need just 102 pitches to complete eight innings of one-run ball. Despite walking four, Ray only allowed two hits, inducing eight groundouts and four fly outs. He would have finished with a scoreless performance if not for Lee’s fielding error, which led to the Athletics’ lone run.

Ninth-inning Drama

Giants’ reliever Caleb Kilian came on in the top of the ninth to try to secure the save. Soderstrom hit a one-out single. After shortstop Jacob Wilson grounded into a force out, Killian walked pinch-hitter Lawrence Butler to bring the go-ahead run to the plate. Alas, Bolte struck out to end the game, as the A’s last chance fizzled out.

The Athletics will look to bounce back and even up this interleague series tomorrow night. Left-hander Gage Jump has pitched exceptionally well through his first few MLB starts and now gets to face the Giants for the first time in his young career. He will be opposed by Giants’ right-hander Tyler Mahle, who is returning from a monthlong absence due to a left hamstring injury.

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Mike Dunleavy Jr. dismisses Yaxel Lendeborg age concerns: ‘He’s not 38’

Yaxel Lendeborg smiling while shaking Adam Silver’s hand at the draft.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Yaxel Lendeborg after is drafted eleventh overall by the Golden State Warriors during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors used the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Yaxel Lendeborg, a consensus first-team All-American who was viewed by most as second only to Cameron Boozer among collegiate players last year. So why did he fall all the way to No. 11?

It’s fairly simple: his age. Lendeborg was a super senior who spent time at both a junior college and a lower-level NCAA school before transferring to Michigan his final year, where he won a national championship. Because of that, he’ll turn 24 before making his NBA debut, which stands in stark contrast to everyone else drafted in the first round on Tuesday.

You can easily make the case that Lendeborg’s age limits his ceiling (the oldest player among the 10 prospects drafted ahead of Lendeborg, Brayden Burries, is a full three years younger). But Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. doesn’t seem concerned. Speaking with reporters after the draft, Dunleavy wryly got off a joke, saying, “He’s what? 23? Almost 24? I’m not worried, because he’s not 38.”

While part of Lendeborg’s allure is that he’s one of, if not the most NBA-ready prospect in the draft, Dunleavy helped set expectations accordingly, saying, “I think it’s tough anytime a guy’s changing levels, whether you’re going from high school to college, college to the NBA … but generally guys like this guy, who’s physically read, who’s played at the highest level of college, won a national championship, maybe those guys can play sooner.”

Despite those comments, Dunleavy made it clear that the door is not only open for Lendeborg to earn minutes as a rookie, but that he’ll likely be thrust into a role by nature of the circumstances. “Next year, to be frank, whether we want him to or not,” Dunleavy explained, “Given our roster constraints, and injuries and stuff like that, the opportunity will be there.”

While Lendeborg’s age may have kept him from being one of the top picks in the draft, it surely is something of an asset to the Warriors. Golden State is hoping to compete for one of the top seeds in the Western Conference next year, but has a difficult path to reach that goal, due to a lack of depth on the roster, and serious injuries to Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody, which will sideline each player until sometime around the All-Star break.