Of all the intriguing storylines following the Knicks throughout training camp, none may be as interesting as how the organization handles the last roster spot.
It’s not as important as how new head coach Mike Brown attempts to unlock New York’s offense, how many players he ends up using in his nightly rotation, or who starts, but the battle for the Knicks’ last roster spot (if there is a battle) brings about genuine curiosity that likely won’t be determined for several weeks.
Before a basketball has been dribbled in front of the public, the Knicks have one roster spot open with veterans Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon and Garrison Matthews, all of whom are on non-guaranteed contracts, the frontrunners to fill it. However, per league sources, New York is leaning toward keeping two of the aforementioned vets, with Shamet and Brogdon leading the way. In order to keep two veterans, though, the Knicks must make a trade.
Shamet, a pro’s pro, returns to New York after filling a bench role last year. The 28-year-old shooting guard, who hit 39.7 percent from 3 a season ago, fits New York’s championship timeline. The same goes for Brogdon, who is two years removed from winning the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award. The veteran point guard fills a traditional ballhandling void on the Knicks’ current roster, but has dealt with injuries throughout his career and has played less than 40 games in three of his last four seasons.
“I came here with the expectation that I’m going to make the team,” Brogdon said on Sunday. “I feel like what I bring to the table, everything I have to offer, I feel like I can help this team get over the hump. The decision is out of my control, but I know I can help this team.”
New York’s championship window is now. The franchise is coming off its first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years and is one of the two frontrunners in a conference depleted by injuries to star players on rival teams. It’s understandable why the Knicks might prioritize veterans over potential young players on the roster at this point.
Here, we’re going to look at who on the roster might get traded for New York to potentially keep both Shamet and Brogdon.
Pacôme Dadiet
Per multiple league sources, the Knicks have had conversations with teams about Dadiet. The 20-year-old Frenchman is New York’s most intriguing prospect, even if he still has a way to go to be a regular contributor. For what it’s worth, I’ve also heard Dadiet has had a good summer behind the scenes and has made it harder for New York to potentially trade him.
Dadiet is 6-foot-8, has had some good defensive glimpses in his very limited time and while his 3-point shooting hasn’t yet translated in either the NBA or G League, the foundation for his jump shot is encouraging. If New York were going to move on from one of its youngsters, Dadiet would be the most likely to get a worthwhile return (I can’t imagine it would be for more than a second-round pick or two).
It’s understandable why the Knicks would prioritize proven veterans over one of their young players. The time for a title is now. However, I’d also have some hesitation parting with Dadiet for someone who might not be a regular rotation player. It is possible that Dadiet outperforms Shamet this preseason and New York gives the final roster spot to Brogdon and then continues to develop Dadiet behind the scenes, throwing him rotation minutes here and there. Things don’t appear to be heading that way right now, but the Knicks have only had one week of camp.

It’s unlikely that Miles McBride would be traded, but never say never. (Jordan Bank/Getty Images)
Miles McBride
Before I get started, I don’t think New York will move McBride. I’m just making the rounds on the bench players and looking at the likelihood of a trade. Not including Mitchell Robinson or Josh Hart, whoever ends up being the starter between those two, McBride is New York’s best bench player. His numbers dipped a bit last season, but he dealt with a few injuries. McBride has the best combination of modern offense and defense in one player on the Knicks’ bench.
McBride, a combo guard, is joined in the second unit with scorer Jordan Clarkson and, potentially, Brogdon. Maybe there’s a world where the Knicks see some redundancy — and McBride would bring back better draft capital in a trade than Dadiet. Furthermore, McBride is entering the second season of a team-friendly, three-year, $13 million deal. The cash-strapped Knicks can’t extend every player on the roster — they have to deal with Robinson and his expiring deal before McBride enters the final year of his deal — and McBride will likely get a nice pay bump on his next deal.
My guess is New York won’t worry about McBride and his next deal until after this season, which is why I wouldn’t put my money on him being dealt this season. But never say never. It would surprise, but not shock.
The Knicks are trying to win a championship. Trading McBride to open up a roster spot for Shamet and Brogdon seems counterintuitive to that objective.
Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti
With Brogdon in the fold, there doesn’t appear to be much of a role for Kolek, the second-year point guard, this season.
Kolek did a great job of taking care of the ball and being a setup man in his minimal minutes as a rookie, but his 3-point shooting hasn’t translated in the pros yet, and he’s undersized on the defensive end.
Kolek, who is 24, might be the most obvious candidate to move from a roster construction standpoint, but in talking to some teams around the league, I’m not sure there is much, if any, value there at this point.
Similar to Kolek, Hukporti is a bit older for a second-year player in today’s game. He’ll be 24 by the end of this season and has already dealt with multiple knee injuries.
The center showed some flashes — good motor and length — in his very limited time last year, and it’s fair to say former Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau had the most trust in Hukporti of all the young guys.
However, in talking to some teams around the NBA, there just doesn’t appear to be much, if any, trade value there right now.
(Top photo of Pacôme Dadiet: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)