Knicks projected to part ways with key 2026 NBA Championship piece

A rare phenomenon in the NBA is when a team keeps its championship squad intact for a back-to-back run. The New York Knicks , led by Jalen Brunson, do not have that luxury heading into the 2026-27 season. They already lost Mitchell Robinson to the Boston Celtics ; the next domino is about to fall. That's because James Dolan has made it clear the franchise can compete, but only with certain salary cap stipulations. So, who's the person predicted to leave the Knicks? Miles McBride.

Knicks expected to part ways with McBride in 2026-27 NBA season

James Dolan has made things clear to Leon Rose: the Knicks can compete as long as their salaries do not hit the second apron. As a consequence, Jalen Brunson lost a screener and fair rebounder in Mitchell Robinson during the offseason. With this pattern looming, Miles McBride is the next candidate to leave.

The Knicks and McBride had an extension deadline in mid-August if they wanted him to settle for a cheaper deal. As expected, the young guard has not signed and will play out the last year of his deal with the Knicks. All signs point to the Knicks seeing McBride walk in NBA Free Agency and not getting any value in return, via James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.

"Unless the two sides reach an agreement before the start of the season, it feels like we're heading toward a departure just based on history... New York did great business in 2023 when it signed an unproven-but-talented McBride to a three-year, $13 million contract. The Knicks saw the development behind the scenes, and decision-makers figured they could get the second-round pick for a low price, while giving him some security. Since then, McBride has greatly outperformed this current contract," he declared.

Knicks fans now have to ask: how much was the disparity between McBride's performance and his contract?

His current deal with the Knicks is worth $13 million over three years, and he will earn $3,956,523 for the 2026-27 NBA season. This ranks him 300th among all players in the league by salary.

When looked at more deeply and compared to the players in the same salary range, McBride did way more and deserves a pay raise. In fact, he is slated to outperform his deal with the Knicks yet again if his Per 36 projections hold. (Numbers in bold indicate projected career-high averages)

Miles McBride 2026-27 Per 36 Minutes Projection

Rebuilding squads like the Brooklyn Nets , Sacramento Kings , and Memphis Grizzlies are all in the running to land McBride if he departs for a better deal before the next offseason. If the Knicks do want to give him a more competitive team to land on, they could also deal McBride to squads that are just a piece away from title contention like the Charlotte Hornets or Orlando Magic . Regardless, the Knicks, led by James Dolan and Jalen Brunson, will have to part ways with one of the most valuable bang-for-your-buck championship players in all of the league's history.