The Knicks keep on wheeling and dealing.
They traded picks Nos. 31 and 55 to Houston on the even of Wednesday’s second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, receiving picks Nos. 39 and 53, plus a 2029 second-rounder, per ESPN’s Shams Charania in the latest of a flurry of trades made in this year’s draft to address second apron concerns.
Per noti.group’s Stefan Bondy, the Knicks moves put them into position to draft players “who could potentially sign second-round rookie exception contracts, which counts just $1.35 million against the cap.”
Owner James Dolan made it clear he did not want to go into the second apron of the salary cap, which would carry financial and roster consequences. Part of that mission was to trade out of the first round last night to avoid the salary commitments and guaranteed contracts first-rounders require.
The Knicks, who held the No. 24 pick, made several trades Tuesday night and emerged without adding any money onto their ledger/
The reigning champions sent the pick to the Lakers in exchange for the No. 25 selection and cash considerations. LA used that pick to select Baylor’s Cameron Carr.
With No. 25, the Knicks chose Spanish player Sergio De Larrea, in the moment seen as a player that could be stashed overseas for the future without affecting salary numbers. It was temporary, however.
After the conclusion of the first round, the Knicks traded De Larrea to Dallas in exchange No. 30 pick Koa Peat and two second-rounders and then sent Peat to Phoenix for three more second round picks and cash.
At the end of the first night, the Knicks wrapped up with five second-round selections and cash. The trade series got the Knicks out of any potential first-round salary commitments without having to trade any capital away.
The Knicks also received the draft rights Melvin Ajinca from Dallas. They originally selected the Frenchman in the 2024 draft before trading away in the deal that brought 2026 champion Ariel Hukporti to New York.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
