In this weeks 13 Rules: Random NBA Thoughts Steve Purciello dives shares more random NBA thoughts. NBA Offseason Outlook: Knicks’ Cap Crunch, Giannis Trade Talk, and the Spurs’ Future Core and more. Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast the Shot Clock Pod to your list!
NBA Offseason Outlook: Knicks Face Tough Cap Decisions After Title Run
The New York Knicks, the league champions, are in an interesting position. Team owner James Dolan has said he doesn’t want his team to go into the dreaded second apron. For the 2026-27 season, the team is $16.5 million away from that apron. They also have looming free agents: Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and Jose Alvarado. Each of these players had roles in the Knicks’ title run. To re-sign Robinson alone would cost the team more than the $16.5 million.
Shamet would be due a raise because he was playing on a league-minimum contract. Something has to give. The Knicks have nine players signed for next season. Signing five players at minimum salary would cost the Knicks more than $10 million, so the Knicks have little wiggle room to stay under the second apron.
Spurs’ Salary Cap Squeeze Looms in Two Years
The San Antonio Spurs have their own problems. While they have said they are keeping De’Aron Fox, in two years things will get tough salary-cap-wise. In two years the problems begin, as Victor Wembanyama, Keldon Johnson, and Julian Champagnie will be free agents. Fox will be making over $50 million by then. I don’t think Fox will be around then, so San Antonio has to hope he has a good year next year to restore his value for trading. To complicate matters, Dylan Harper has made comments about not liking coming off the bench, and it looks like he will be doing that next year. The Spurs have to hope Harper is okay with that in the long term.
Why San Antonio Needs an Enforcer at Power Forward
One more thing on the Spurs: the smartest thing they could do is go out and get a power forward who is an enforcer, sort of like a Charles Oakley, or in our time, Draymond Green or Isaiah Stewart.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Talk Drags On
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talk. Just make a deal already. Word is the Bucks aren’t happy with their offers. It seems the Bucks don’t like the package the Heat are offering, and the Celtics may or may not be offering Jaylen Brown. If they are offering Brown, Milwaukee wants more. I don’t know what will happen, but another team probably will swoop in right before the draft and get him. Teams like Houston, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City have the players and draft picks to make a deal.
Tiago Splitter Takes Over as Bulls Head Coach
Tiago Splitter is now the Chicago Bulls coach. I’m happy for him because he did a good job with the Portland Trail Blazers in a tough situation. He wasn’t treated well by new owner Tom Dundon and got the Bulls job. As for Portland, whoever they hire must be successful because fans won’t forget the one that got away.
Jaylen Brown’s Future With the Celtics in Question
What’s going on up in Boston? Jaylen Brown has done a lot of talking, making it appear he may not be that happy as a Celtic. There are rumors of him being traded for Giannis. To complicate matters, Minnesota is showing interest in Derrick White. Unless Brown wants out, I wouldn’t trade him because top-fifteen players in the league are hard to find, and he’s younger than Giannis and has been healthier.
As for White, he was a good Celtic who was a big contributor to Boston’s title. White had a poor shooting year last year from three: 32.7%, and he’ll be 32 in a week. It’s best to trade a player when they are still productive, before their decline becomes apparent and their value declines.
Ja Morant‘s Trade Status Remains Unresolved
Ja Morant’s status remains in limbo. It is apparent the Memphis Grizzlies would like to trade him, but they don’t want to attach a draft pick to do so, meaning Morant and his $42 million salary have little value. Until Giannis is dealt and teams that don’t get Giannis figure out where they are going in their quest for a star, Ja will probably remain a member of the Grizzlies.
