The New York Knicks have finally found the final move they needed to make to open cap space ahead of the beginning of the 2022 offseason. After making moves to shed salary during the 2022 Draft where they moved on from the contract of Kemba Walker and chose to not draft any players despite having a lottery pick.
The Detroit Pistons have agreed to take Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks from the Knicks in exchange for future second round picks and cash considerations, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
Considering the Knicks had to pay a much higher price to get rid of the Kemba contract, this is a solid move that opens up nearly $20 million for the Knicks.
The Knicks are including two future second-round picks and cash in the deal to incentivize the Pistons, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/sjuX7PIhkw
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022
It has been widely reported that the Knicks are going to use this money to sign Jalen Brunson from the Dallas Mavericks. They hadn’t been able to make room up until now, but have done so just a few days from the free agency window opening.
New York will send Detroit back its 2023 second-round pick, a 2024 second-round pick via Miami and $6 million, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022
With free agency opening on Thursday, the biggest battle will be between the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks over Brunson. Even if Dallas loses Jalen, they will try to use their existing guard depth and the possibility of signing Goran Dragic as a potential replacement.
Brunson in New York finally settles their point guard issues while giving Brunson a larger role compared to what he has alongside Luka Doncic in Dallas.
