The two signings that the Knicks want to finalize before the start of the season
The New York franchise has set its sights on John Konchar and Drew Eubanks, two players who could strengthen the team's interior options.
New York Knicks continues to track the free agent market in search of a final piece to complete their roster before the start of training camp. The New York franchise has set its sights on John Konchar and Drew Eubanks, two players who could strengthen the team's interior options for the 2026-27 season.
However, the Knicks' salary situation affects their moves. New York currently has enough room below the NBA's second salary cap to add one more player with a minimum veteran contract, although there would not be space to sign both players under those same conditions.
John Konchar and Drew Eubanks appear on the Knicks' radar
According to available information, the Knicks are interested in both John Konchar and Drew Eubanks while they continue to evaluate alternatives to strengthen their interior game.
Konchar enters the market after being recently waived. The player had been traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, after which his contract was extended, before ultimately becoming available.
His situation makes him one of the options that New York is considering to complete their roster before training camp begins.
Eubanks, on the other hand, presents a profile more clearly related to the center position. He finished his 2025-26 season with the Sacramento Kings in March after having to undergo surgery to repair a rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left thumb.
If the Knicks ultimately choose Eubanks, his arrival would mean direct competition for the third center spot on the roster.
New York only has space for one addition
The main obstacle for the Knicks does not appear to be a lack of interest, but their salary situation.
The franchise currently has enough room below the second salary cap to bring in one more player with a minimum veteran contract. However, that space does not allow adding two players under that same type of contract.
Therefore, if New York decides to move forward with Konchar or Eubanks, they will have to choose between the different alternatives they are considering to complete their roster.
| Data | Situation |
|---|---|
| Players on the radar | John Konchar and Drew Eubanks |
| Interested team | New York Knicks |
| Market | Free agents |
| Available space | For a minimum veteran contract |
| Number of possible additions | One |
| Eubanks' position | Center |
| Possible role of Eubanks | Compete for the third center position |
| Mentioned salary cap | 221 million dollars |
| James Dolan's goal | Not to exceed the second salary cap in total salary |
Drew Eubanks would compete for the third center spot
The option of Drew Eubanks is particularly interesting due to New York's need to finalize its interior rotation.
If he signs with the Knicks, Eubanks would not necessarily arrive with a guaranteed spot in the main rotation. His most likely scenario would be competing with the other centers on the roster to become the third option at that position.
His availability is also conditional on the episode that ended his season with Sacramento. Eubanks had to undergo surgery to repair the injury to his left thumb and could not continue playing after March.
Therefore, the Knicks will have to assess both his profile and the situation of their roster before deciding whether to use their last available space on him.
John Konchar, another alternative for the Knicks
The other name appearing on New York's radar is John Konchar, recently waived after his time in Minnesota.
His contractual situation has brought him back to the market, and the Knicks are among the teams that have shown interest in his services.
The franchise now has to decide how to use the only salary space available for a minimum veteran contract. Konchar and Eubanks represent two different profiles, so the decision will depend on which need New York wants to prioritize before the start of the season.
James Dolan sets the limit for the Knicks
In addition to the limitation imposed by the second salary cap, there is a clear condition set by the Knicks' owner, James Dolan.
Dolan has stated that the franchise will not exceed the second salary cap in terms of total salary. That figure is set at 221 million dollars for this season.
Therefore, although New York still has room to make an addition, their maneuverability is clearly limited.
The Knicks must now decide whether to use that last space on John Konchar, Drew Eubanks, or another market alternative. With training camp approaching, the search for that final piece presents itself as one of the pending moves for the franchise.
The situation also makes it clear that New York cannot add both players under minimum veteran contracts, so interest in Konchar and Eubanks will ultimately lead to a choice if both remain the priority options to complete the roster.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los dos fichajes que quieren cerrar los Knicks antes del inicio de temporada
