Jeremy Cohen from Knicks Film School explained the Knicks' cap situation throughout the night before the trades occurred:
Knicks cap situation after OG's signing
The Knicks have nine players under contract after the Bridges trade + 24 + 25. When considering unlikely bonuses, the Knicks appear to be:
$884K above the tax $6.43M below the first apron $17.26M below the second apron
This also doesn't account for one roster charge of $1.16M
And then calling out exactly what the Knicks would have to do with their picks to open the space:
Considering how the Knicks need to fill out their roster with three more players, and how they are probably hard-capped at the second apron, it is looking highly unlikely that Hartenstein returns. The max they can offer him is more than the space below the second apron
Perhaps the Knicks could trade out of the draft with one of their picks, max Hartenstein, and sign three second-round picks to the rookie exception, but… I doubt it. Maybe they move Mitch but that doesn't matter if IHart gets a big offer elsewhere. I wouldn't expect him back
And look – maybe something changes! Just takes one giant pendulum swing of Robinson being dealt and IHart being comfortable returning on a max to make them reuniting possible. But otherwise, it's bleak. Hopefully the parties can find a resolution. Would obviously love him back
And the reaction after the trades:
Hang on…
So by indeed trading out and possibly draft-and-stashing Dadiet, the Knicks would have nine players under contract. They’d be $11.98M under the first apron and $22.81M under the second apron with three roster charges. IHart max is $16.18M. If he agrees to stay, this might be it
The Bridges trade as constructed would hard cap the Knicks at the first apron. So I would expect them to find a way (as mentioned, Precious S&T added to the deal?) to ensure they are hard-capped at the SECOND apron instead. Otherwise more must be done to merely retain him
If it works out and the Knicks are able to retain Hartenstein, these goofy looking trades might be the reason. Something to look out for and an explanation to the method of the madness.
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>If it works out and the Knicks are able to retain Hartenstein, these goofy looking trades might be the reason. Something to look out for and an explanation to the method of the madness.
We might actually be at the stage where all of these dumb win now trades are starting to make a lick of sense…
Oh no.
OKC fans gonna be sick if their front office helped us retain their top free agent target.
The fact that they’re doing all this shit is giving me some serious copium that he told them he’d come back if they were able to give him the max
The Knicks have done everything in their power o keep Ihart
Now it’s up to 1
1. The rest of the nba to not blow away the Knicks offer
2. Ihart to take less if the numbers are close
Great post OP. This took a lot of time, we appreciate you.
It really makes sense that they will do what they can to keep IHart, who was one of the most critical pieces last season. Love Mitch but he has been injury prone.
This FO would never hard cap us at the 1st apron, the MIkal trade details aren’t even final. I’m sure we could send Sims in the trade to get under the 2nd apron, but we only do that if Ihart is resigning, so we’re probably waiting on that and then the final trade would include Sims.
If Cohen says it’s possible, it means it’s not happening. He is a curse.