The Knicks reports that held up this month are mostly about who left, not who arrived. The one addition is a two-way flyer, and a payroll above the first apron keeps it that way.
Knecht Is Real
Ian Begley reported October 22 that the Knicks were interested in Dalton Knecht, a report scored at confidence 45. Michael Scotto followed a day later with a two-way deal. That one is confirmed, and Knecht is on the roster at 25 with two years in the league. Stefan Bondy of the New York Post wrote that Knecht's shot at redemption starts in the G League. So this is a depth flyer. It does not fix an offense rated 103.4.
The Cuts Stuck
Shams Charania reported October 15 that Drew Eubanks tore a pectoral muscle and would be waived. Confirmed. The waivers of Tony Bradley and Ochai Agbaji are confirmed too, and so is Bruce Brown hitting waivers. That was the front office trimming the roster, not shopping. Two items stay open at confidence 34: the Jazz claiming Bradley and the Knicks signing and waiving Dink Pate. The scores are low, and neither move touches a rotation that has bigger problems.
Towns Waits
James L. Edwards reported October 11 that Towns was "very disappointed" the Knicks paused extension talks. The item carries confidence 31 and is still open, and nothing new has been reported since. Towns has answered on the floor with 21.0 points and 12.0 rebounds a night while making $57.1M. Pausing the talks was the front office's call. Leaving them paused during an 0-3 start is a choice too.
Ignore This One
The report of Jalen Suggs leaving a game with a knee injury, confidence 44, is Orlando's worry. It changes nothing for New York except that it came out of a night the Knicks lost 111-102.
The Cap Says No
Payroll sits at $220.4M, above the first apron and far past the $200.4M tax line. Towns at $57.1M, Anunoby at $42.5M, Brunson at $37.7M, Bridges at $33.5M and Hart at $20.9M eat most of it. The 2027 and 2029 first-round picks belong to Brooklyn, and 2028 is a swap. Fans will point to Bridges, who is at 3.3 points and 0.0 from three on $33.5M. No report says anyone is trying to move him, and the books make a big swing hard to build. Detroit walks in at 3-0 tonight. The fix has to come from this locker room.
Did the Knicks sign Dalton Knecht?
Yes. The two-way deal Michael Scotto reported October 23 is confirmed, and Stefan Bondy of the New York Post wrote that Knecht's path starts in the G League.
Can the Knicks make a big trade this season?
It will be hard. Their $220.4M payroll is above the first apron, and their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks are owed to Brooklyn.
