Knicks front office want to disobey James Dolan’s direct order to try to retain NBA Championship

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The New York Knicks are feeling the strain of team owner James Dolan’s proclamation that the team won’t go into the second apron.

The Knicks currently have nine players on the roster for the 2026-27 season with a payroll of $205 million guaranteed. This leaves them with just $17 million to fill out their roster under the $222 million second-apron threshold.

This won’t be enough to keep their title-winning team together, and the front office is not happy about it.

Knicks’ front office wants James Dolan to ignore the second apron

The Athletic’s Fred Katz revealed that the Knicks front office is actively desiring to go over the second apron to build their squad for title retention, but Dolan is unwilling to change his mind after publicly saying he won’t let the team enter the second apron two weeks ago.

“The Knicks’ front office knows this. And yet, it also understands that dipping below the second apron would lead to much of its depth flocking elsewhere, which is why, despite Dolan’s desires, it wants to go over the second apron, according to league sources, who were granted anonymity to speak freely. But so far, Dolan has not changed his mind.”

The only team in the NBA to go into the second apron last season was the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team New York swept on their way to the title.

It isn’t compulsory to be in the second apron to win a title, and that’s what Dolan wants his front office to execute once again.

Knicks can’t avoid the second apron to retain their roster

Ignoring the nearly $2.5 million they’ll need to spread out over their two 2026 second-round picks (Jack Kayil, Tyler Nickel), the Knicks have $17 million to bring back Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson, and Ariel Hukporti.

That budget for all these players is impossible, and Dolan has made his peace with it, unlike the front office. Robinson alone might get a contract worth $10 to $15 million in free agency, so the Knicks stand no chance at bringing him back and staying apron compliant.

They could retain all the other pieces if Clarkson and Hukporti return on minimums while Shamet and Alvarado get contracts between $4-5 million. Still, it’d be cutting it close without Robinson in play.

Expect the Knicks to try and use their status as the reigning champions in a big market to entice free agents on minimum deals, as it doesn’t look like they’ll be breaking the bank for another title run.