Fresh off their first championship in 53 years, the New York Knicks are still riding high this summer. Unfortunately, the good vibes may not last, as the Knicks are set to be broken up in a few weeks.
According to James Dolan himself, the Knicks will not go into the second apron next season, meaning we can expect some cost-cutting measures to the roster. Specifically, there are three players the Knicks could lose: Mitchell Robinson, Jose Alvarado, and Landry Shamet.
“Before the parade, James Dolan comes out and says, ‘We’re not going to the 2nd apron.’ What are we doing here? I think they could lose Mitch, I think they could lose Landry Shamet, and we’ll see what happens with Jose Alvarado,” said NBA Insider Bobby Marks. “Now, a team that’s coming off a championship is going to have to replenish some of the depth that was really good for them.”
Most NBA championship teams do whatever they can to keep their roster intact, but there have been exceptions. In the 2020 offseason, for example, the Los Angeles Lakers overhauled the team that won the title, only to fall short the next year. In this case, the Knicks are committed to keeping their core together (Brunson, Towns, Anunoby), but there is no guarantee that the supporting cast comes back as strong as it was this season.
The biggest loss would be Mitchell Robinson, and multiple teams have been monitoring his situation (including the Lakers, Bulls, Hornets, and Raptors). With averages of 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game on 72.3% shooting in 2025-26, he’s got modest stats for the Knicks, but fails to represent his full impact on the game as an elite interior defender who can dominate the boards. Behind Karl-Anthony Towns, he’s been huge for the Knicks, and his presence in the paint was felt throughout the Knicks’ run.
This season, Robinson made $12.9 million, and he’ll likely demand at least $15 million per year in his next contract (despite an extensive injury history). As much as the Knicks want to keep him, Dolan believes he is expendable, even if there’s no easy replacement to find on the market.
Landry Shamet played a big role in Mike Brown’s rotation this season, averaging 9.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game on 43.7% shooting and 39.2% shooting from three in 23 minutes. Known for his high IQ, consistent shooting, and versatile scoring, he provides a crucial spark in the Knicks’ second unit. But after making just $2.2 million in 2025-26, Shamet will be looking for a higher salary, and teams like the Nets or Lakers may be willing to offer more than the Knicks can afford.
As one of the Knicks’ newest additions, fans were hopeful that Jose Alvarado might be a permanent part of the roster. With averages of 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steals on 41.4% shooting from the field, he played his role well for the Knicks, but there was always the chance he might leave with a $4.5 million player option next season. If he wants more money, he’ll have to opt out of the deal, and the Knicks would have to let him go.
Separately, the loss of these players wouldn’t change much. Losing all three role players, however, would be devastating for the Knicks, whose depth played a big part in their championship run. If James Dolan isn’t willing to pay to keep this team together, and they don’t find viable replacements for whoever they lose, the Knicks could struggle to meet the championship standard they set this year.
