James Dolan, owner of the New York Knicks, stated on WFAN radio June 17 that the team will not allow its payroll to exceed the NBA's second apron salary cap threshold. He called going into the second apron "suicidal" and said, "I'll write as big of a check as possible, but I can't write a check that goes into the second apron" [1, 2].
The Knicks captured their first NBA championship since 1973 during the 2026 season, a milestone achievement celebrated with a victory parade in New York City on June 18 [1, 2]. Despite this success, Dolan emphasized fiscal discipline, explaining the second apron penalty limits teams by restricting certain trades, midlevel salary exception use, and imposing conditions on first-round pick trades beyond seven years [2].
Last season, the Knicks were about $200,000 under the second apron and are projected to be roughly $13 million below it for the upcoming season [2]. Dolan said while he is willing to stretch the payroll, "there's certain things in the NBA that you’d have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron" [2]. Final roster decisions will be made by team president Leon Rose [1, 2].
All five starters from the 2025-26 championship squad remain under contract for at least two more years [2]. However, some key bench players who are unrestricted free agents, including backup center Mitchell Robinson and guard Landry Shamet, may not be retained if the payroll limit is not exceeded [2]. Reserve point guard Jose Alvarado must decide by Monday, June 8, whether to exercise a $4.5 million player option for next season [2].
Dolan’s comments came days before the Knicks’ championship parade in New York City Thursday, June 18, signaling the team’s intention to balance competitive payrolls with NBA financial rules as they prepare for the next season [2].
