The Knicks have decided to pick up the team option for center Ariel Fucorti while planning to decline the veteran team option for PJ Tucker, according to a league source speaking to SNY. Rejecting Tucker’s option will reduce the Knicks’ salary commitments by $3.5 million.
At present, the Knicks’ total team salary exceeds the original apron, but they still have access to a $5.6 million taxpayer exception. This exception is valid for up to two years and can include a 5% annual salary increase. It can also be split to sign multiple players.
By declining Tucker’s option, the Knicks gain more flexibility to sign and trade for free agents, within the $5.6 million exception limit. However, using this exception to sign free agents triggers a hard cap at the second apron, limiting total team salary to $207.8 million.
Additionally, the Knicks can sign free agents using the veteran minimum salary. New York is targeting veteran free agents such as Deron Wright, Precious Achiuwa, Landry Shamet, and Cam Payne. The team is actively monitoring the backup guard market.
Since free agency opened on Sunday at 6 p.m., the Knicks have shown interest in Shamet, with other teams also expected to compete for him, according to league sources. The 28-year-old guard returned in the 2024-25 season after recovering from a dislocated shoulder, shooting 40% from three-point range in 50 regular-season games. Although he was mostly out of the postseason rotation, Shamet rejoined the lineup in Game 3 of the series against the Knicks’ opponent, delivering strong defense and shooting 7 out of 13 threes. The Knicks were +21 in plus-minus stats with Shamet on the court during his 52 minutes against Indiana.
Fan Take: This roster maneuvering shows the Knicks’ commitment to balancing veteran presence with salary flexibility—a smart strategy in today’s competitive NBA. For fans, it means an intriguing offseason ahead as New York aims to bolster its depth and shooting, potentially shifting the team’s dynamic in a big way.
