On Saturday, the NBA and NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement that could change how the New York Knicks approach the offseason as it will start with the 2023-24 season.
Part of the changes to the existing CBA is a second tax apron that sits $17.5 million above the luxury tax line. If a team goes above that second apron, there are restrictions put in place that will prevent what that team can/can’t do in terms of roster construction.
With the Knicks currently sitting less than $4 million under the luxury tax, the front office will have to be careful about how they approach their future plans under the new CBA. The good news is that Leon Rose and Co., as other front offices around the league, were made aware beforehand of the changes to the existing CBA.
During the offseason, it’d do New York good to shed some salary while simultaneously deciding what to do with players that they want to sign to new deals.
5 New York Knicks players that could be impacted by new CBA
5: Josh Hart
New York sent a protected first-round to Portland for Josh Hart and the front office didn’t do so under the hope that he’d be nothing more than a rental. Hart was born to be a Knick.
He’s expected to opt out of his $12.96 million player option for 2023-24 in favor of a multi-year deal, which will mean that he’ll become a free agent. Hart’s repeatedly said that he wants to be in New York, so fans shouldn’t worry about him signing elsewhere, although it will certainly be a possibility.
Hart should be one of the Knicks’ priorities during the offseason. New York does own his Bird Rights, which will help the organization retain him. If he does sign a new contract with the Knicks this summer, it could fall somewhere in the $16-$18 million range per year, which would be good for both him and the team.