Jaden Akins is on the New York Knicks roster as of Wednesday, Sept. 30, per the official roster. The rookie guard joins a backcourt already anchored by Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges.
The move
Jaden Akins, a 23-year-old rookie guard, joins the Knicks roster out of free agency, with no prior team on record. The move was detected from the official roster on Wednesday, Sept. 30. No report preceded it; none is logged in the injury report or elsewhere ahead of the roster addition.
The money
Akins' contract terms are not on file yet; public salary data can lag a signing by a day. The Knicks carry a payroll of $230.2 million across 18 contracts for 2026-27, putting them over the second apron. The league cap sits at $165.0 million, the tax line at $200.4 million, the first apron at $209.0 million and the second apron at $221.7 million.
The fit
Akins has no NBA line from last season. He joins a Knicks backcourt led by Jalen Brunson, who logged 35.0 minutes and 26.0 points a game last season, alongside Mikal Bridges (32.8 minutes, 14.4 points), Josh Hart (30.2 minutes, 12.0 points) and Miles McBride (26.3 minutes, 12.0 points). The Knicks now carry 24 players on the roster, against a standard limit of 15 plus three two-way spots.
How did Jaden Akins join the Knicks?
He joins the roster out of free agency; the move was detected from the official roster on Wednesday, Sept. 30. No prior report on the move is logged.
What is Jaden Akins' contract with the Knicks?
His contract is not on file yet. Public salary data can lag a signing by a day.
Are the Knicks over the luxury tax?
Yes. Their payroll is $230.2 million across 18 contracts for 2026-27, above the cap of $165.0 million, the tax line of $200.4 million, and both the first apron ($209.0 million) and second apron ($221.7 million).
Did Jaden Akins play in the NBA last season?
He has no NBA line from last season.