The Knicks’ surge into the Eastern Conference Finals has created a roster problem that success often brings. With New York two wins away from its first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years, several pending free agents may no longer fit into the team’s future plans.
That tension is what makes the next stretch important. The Knicks have 10 expiring contracts to varying degrees, only $3.5 million remaining for the first apron, and are projected to rank 26th in available cap space, according to Spotrac.
Jordan Clarkson’s value may rise beyond New York’s range
Jordan Clarkson entered the season on a minimum deal, and the Knicks hoped his scoring would boost the bench. That has not fully happened in the regular season, where he averaged a career-low 8.6 points on .451/.327/.830 shooting in 17.8 minutes per game.
Still, his postseason has shown why other teams may be willing to pay more. Clarkson has attacked the basket and added value on the glass, ranking fourth on the Knicks with 1.3 offensive rebounds per game, or 4.9 per 100 possessions, which is more than Karl-Anthony Towns’ 4.3.
That kind of production can matter even when the shot is not falling. Clarkson is also set to turn 34 next month, and a deeper playoff run could strengthen his case for one last contract above the minimum.
Landry Shamet has rebuilt his stock at the right time
Landry Shamet began the postseason in shaky form, and his role quickly shrank after Game 1 of the opening-round Hawks series. He finished without a point in four of the first eight playoff games, which raised real doubt about whether he had played his way out of New York’s plans.
His outlook changed when OG Anunoby was unavailable in Game 3 against the 76ers. Shamet responded with 15 points, then followed with 13 points in Game 4 while knocking down 4 of 6 attempts from three-point range.
That momentum carried into the Eastern Conference Finals. He hit three threes on perfect shooting in Game 1, then added four defensive rebounds and a steal in Game 2 even though he took only one shot.
Shamet has not been perfect, but he has shown he can handle pressure and deliver in the playoffs. That is the kind of profile that often draws interest from the rest of the league, especially when a contender may not be able to match the market.
Jeremy Sochan faces a different path
Jeremy Sochan’s situation looks different from the other two because he did not begin the season in New York. He joined the Knicks in mid-February after mutually agreeing with the Spurs on his release, but his regular-season role stayed small.
In 16 games, Sochan averaged 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds while shooting 56.7% from the field and 20.0% from deep. His minutes dropped even further in the playoffs, where he has averaged 4.6 minutes across five appearances and has not played since the series-clinching win over the 76ers.
The reason is simple: the frontcourt is crowded. Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby are expected back, the Knicks will do what it takes to re-sign Mitchell Robinson, and restricted free agents Mohamed Diawara and Ariel Hukporti could also return.
That leaves little room for Sochan, even if his numbers suggest he can still help elsewhere. He is averaging 4.0 points per game on .875/.500/.625 shooting, plus 11.0 rebounds per 100 possessions, which may be enough to earn a larger role on another roster but not in a Knicks frontcourt that already looks full.
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