Mike Brown sets Knicks roster-battle expectations as camp opens
New coach says final two spots will be earned in a genuine competition amid hard-cap limits and injury notes
New York Knicks coach Mike Brown opened training camp with a blunt message about the roster: the final two spots will be won, not handed to veterans or rookies. Speaking after his first official practice Wednesday, Brown stressed that there are no preconceived front-runners and that the process will determine who fits best for a season that still lies ahead.
“Whether you’re here on a guaranteed deal, you’re here on a nonguaranteed deal, you’re competing your butt off,” Brown said. “And at the end of the day, we have a lot of time to make a decision on what’s gonna happen, and we’ll figure out who we need to fit and who needs to fit, but it’s gonna be a process. There’s no one ahead of anyone right now.”
The Knicks have two roster spots to fill and operate under a hard cap that allows for only one veteran and one rookie to be added to the current group. Mohamed Diawara, a second-round pick this year, is the only rookie on the roster. Among the veterans on nonguaranteed deals, Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet are the most notable. The Post has reported that Brogdon is expected to secure a spot, with a trade likely needed to create cap space for a second veteran, with Shamet viewed as the target. Garrison Mathews and Alex Len are also among those considered candidates for the remaining roster slots.
Around the league, chatter has picked up that Pacôme Dadiet and Miles McBride could be draws in potential trades as New York weighs its options. Brown’s comments come as the Knicks won’t have to finalize the roster until the start of the regular season in late October.
In practice, Josh Hart wore a splint on his injured ring finger as he continues to navigate the season after aggravating the surgically repaired digit. The 30-year-old started for most of last season, including the playoffs, but could shift to the bench depending on how the roster takes shape. Brown hasn’t settled on a fifth starter, and the team will monitor Hart’s discomfort into the season instead of rushing a repair in the near term.
The lineup drill also hinted at roles for the early phase of camp: Hart wore the white jersey of the reserves while Mitchell Robinson wore the starter blue. Brown said the separation between roles was not yet decided, underscoring again that this year’s roster-building will be shaped by performance rather than reputation.
New York’s front office has time to finalize the roster, with the season opener still weeks away. The team will likely navigate cap considerations and player availability as it balances upside with a realistic assessment of who can contribute most over a long commitment to a demanding schedule.