With the Kristaps Porzingis trade and other events around the deadline, which expiring contracts do the New York Knicks have on their roster?
The New York Knicks were more active at the trade deadline than anticipated. Instead of shipping off only role players, Kristaps Porzingis went to the Dallas Mavericks, taking Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee with him.
Wesley Matthews was part of the return package. He had an expiring contract, so a buyout was reached shortly after the deadline expired.
Enes Kanter, previously the Knicks’ most expensive contract, was expiring, as well, only to be waived. That shrunk the roster, but kept him on the team’s payroll for the rest of 2018-19.
With these completed moves, how do the Knicks’ expiring salaries look as of Feb. 18, the middle of the NBA All-Star break? Let’s take a look:
- DeAndre Jordan ($22.9 million): By far the most costly, active player on an expiring contract, Jordan arrived via the Porzingis trade. He’s a mentor to Mitchell Robinson, for now, and potential Kevin Durant bait this summer.
- Lance Thomas ($7.11 million): While technically not an expiring contract, Thomas will only make $1 million guaranteed for 2019-20. With his current role, and the prospect of cap space, he’s not long for this franchise, barring the veteran’s minimum in free agency.
- Mario Hezonja ($6.5 million): Hezonja’s lone season in New York has taken him from the rotation to David Fizdale’s doghouse continuously. That will likely remain until this $6.5 million contract expires at season’s end. The Croatian shoots just 39.7 percent from the field and 27.7 percent on three-pointers.
- Emmanuel Mudiay ($4.29 million): A restricted free agent, Mudiay’s future with the Knicks came into question when Dennis Smith Jr. was acquired in the Porzingis trade. The fourth-year man is also out with an injury, which may have cost him the starting point-guard job.
- Allonzo Trier ($3.3 million): Trier has a team option for 2018-19. He’s impressed in flashes, but disappeared in others. Still, it’s difficult to see the Knicks letting him walk after just one season, at an affordable price.
- Noah Vonleh ($1.62 million): Vonleh once seemed like a trade candidate. He impressed in starts and Fizdale once called him the team’s “most complete player.” However, once the trade deadline passed, the Indiana product moved into a reserve role. Over his last 11 games, he’s averaged just 4.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in 21.0 minutes.
- Luke Kornet ($1.61 million): Kornet received his chance well before the Porzingis deal, but with Robinson’s rise and Jordan’s presence, there’s a lesser need for the sophomore in the rotation. His value hinges on Vonleh’s use in the frontcourt and how many three-pointers are hit.
- Damyean Dotson ($1.37 million): With cleared depth at shooting guard, Dotson has the chance to impress for the remaining 24 games. At an unguaranteed $1.6 million for 2019-20, he should stick to provide low-cost depth.
This group will likely lock in for the rest of 2018-19. After that, it remains to be seen if any will return to the New York Knicks next season.