Following the New York Knicks\u2019 2026 NBA Finals championship, owner James Dolan spoke on WFAN about the team\u2019s future, acknowledging that retaining the same roster could be challenging under the league\u2019s updated financial rules.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we could bring the whole team back exactly as it is, why wouldn\u2019t we? But I don\u2019t know if we\u2019ll be able to do it,\u201d Dolan said. \u201cWe\u2019re willing to spend, but there’s certain things in the NBA that you’d have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron. Cannot go into the second apron. I’ll write as big of a check as possible, but I can’t write a check that goes into the second apron”.<\/p>\n
According to Capsheets<\/a> the threshold is projected at around $222.7 million.<\/p>\n The Knicks\u2019 starting five is already under contract for next season, but key rotation decisions remain unresolved. Players like Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet are set to hit free agency, and both could attract significant market interest.<\/p>\n Robinson is expected to receive offers in the range of $15 million per year, while Shamet is likely to command more than the veteran minimum he played on in 2025\/26.<\/p>\n New York currently sits roughly $13 million below the second apron, but re-signing both players \u2014 along with retaining depth pieces such as Jordan Clarkson, Jeremy Sochan, Mohamed Diawara, and Ariel Hukporti \u2014 would likely push the franchise beyond that limit.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “There’s certain things in the NBA that you’d have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron. Cannot go into the second apron. I’ll write as big of a check as possible, but I can’t write a check that goes into the second apron.”<\/p>\n – James Dolan on @CartonShowWFAN<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/KJFIccCnMf<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n