Knicks exploring trade to keep both Wiseman and Brown under second apron, SNY reports
The New York Knicks are exploring a trade that would let them keep both James Wiseman and Bruce Brown on the regular-season roster, SNY reported, with a deal needed by Monday afternoon. Yahoo reported that Brown would receive a $3.5 million contract if added. Its length and guarantee were not disclosed.
The Knicks waived Tony Bradley and Drew Eubanks during the day Thursday, according to Yahoo, leaving Wiseman and Brown as the only candidates for the final roster spot. ESPN reported that Eubanks would be waived after suffering a pectoral injury.
According to SNY, New York has room under the second apron in team salary to keep only one of the two. Keeping both would require trading a player on a standard contract without taking back salary.
SNY's read is that Wiseman is a lock to make the roster and that there is strong support to add Brown as well.
SNY said it is logical to assume that third-year wing Pacome Dadiet would be moved, but that New York will also explore deals involving third-year guard Tyler Kolek. To get a deal done, the Knicks may need to attach their own second-round picks, of which they hold at least 11 in the next seven drafts, SNY reported.
The reporting differs on what the open spot is for. SNY frames it as a backup-center choice between the two, while Yahoo describes Brown as a guard who can fill in for Josh Hart or Jalen Brunson.
The Athletic's James L. Edwards III wrote that "New York needs a third center and will likely use the 14th roster spot to address it," adding that "all signs point to the team keeping a center right now."
Wiseman played four minutes in Thursday's 122-120 preseason win over Toronto, recording two points and one rebound, according to Yahoo. Brown did not play.
Brown signed an Exhibit 10 contract rather than a roster contract because of the second apron, the New York Post's Stefan Bondy reported. Brown, who logged 82 games last season with a title contender, told The Post that the interested teams "weren't many" and that the common excuse was "the second apron."
The apron constraint follows a title season. In 2025-26 the Knicks carried an Effective Payroll of $251.9 million, the third-highest in the league, with $44.4 million of it in luxury tax, per WAGE.
That payroll bought 53 wins last season, the sixth-most in the league, and a team WAGE Score of 46, Going Rate.
For the new season, keeping Brown would be paid for in more than the reported $3.5 million: the price runs through the apron, in a rostered player and possibly picks.
No trade has been made. The Knicks open the 2026-27 regular season at home against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 20, according to Yahoo.