Knicks X-Factor

The Flame Thrower is back for one more year in the Big Apple. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Jordan Clarkson is back with the New York Knicks on a one-year, $3.9 million contract. Free agent Jordan Clarkson has agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal to return to the New York Knicks, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Brandon Cavanaugh tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/VG6OQcpJVx — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 9, 2026 Clarkson first signed with the Knicks on July 7, 2025.

It’s not goodbye; it’s “C” you later. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Mitchell Robinson’s time with the New York Knicks is coming to an end. The center has reportedly signed a three-year, $47.4 million deal that includes a player option for the finale. Thus ends Robinson’s time in New York in the most triumphant of fashions after eight seasons.

The first rule of fight club is you don’t talk about fight club. And the first rule of NBA free agency is you pay as many of your guys as you can, especially after winning it all. So far, so good for the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks, who have re-signed Mohamed Diawara, Jose Alvarado, and Landry Shamet. Alvarado declined his $4.5 million player option before re-signing with New York for three years and $14-million. ESPN’s Shams Charania was first with the report.

The shot has been tipped in, the countdown has finished, and the confetti has flown — the New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time in 53 years. While this one could ostensibly last a lifetime, the Knicks certainly hope that’s not the case. Repeating will require a look at the past, present, and future, including a deeper look at this legendary championship trek.

The New York Knicks’ No. 44 is back for four more. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Landry Shamet is set to sign a four-year deal worth $24 million. Further intel from Ian Begley of SNY states that Shamet turned down larger offers to stick around in Manhattan, which has hosted each of his last two seasons. Landry Shamet turned down the opportunity for bigger offers from other contenders to re-sign with the Knicks and defend the title, per sources. Those offers were coming if Shamet hit free agency.

New York Knicks fans won’t have to wait long for an NBA Finals rematch. It’s likely background noise for thousands of Knicks fans still engaged in championship celebration mode, but the NBA released the schedule for the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League slate on Friday. The Knicks’ summer schedule opens against their Brooklyn counterparts on July 10 before facing those of the San Antonio Spurs a day after.

Brooklyn’s in the house … Madison Square Garden, to be precise. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Jose Alvarado will return to the New York Knicks on a three-year deal worth over $14 million. Alvarado turned down the $4.5 million player option that came over from the New Orleans Pelicans when the Knicks traded for his services at this year’s trade deadline.

Championship hangover be gone, New York Knicks; the NBA offseason waits for no one. Not only has the draft come and gone, but the free agency market opens in one week, June 30. And already, signs of pessimism are flooding the airwaves regarding the Knicks’ ability to retain key free agents. Perhaps it’s for good reason. Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet are both unrestricted free agents, and the NBA market is always willing to pay for championship contributors.

The New York Knicks were still penny-pinching at the 2026 NBA draft, but at least they could afford a Nickel. Amidst further wheeling and dealing at the 2026 draft, the Knicks leave with two new talents on their ledgers after the second round was staged on Wednesday night in Brooklyn: New York obtained German prospect Jack Kayil with the 39th pick, and later landed Vanderbilt sharpshooter Tyler Nickel at No. 47. The Knicks began the night as owners of the 31st, 47th, and 55th selections.

The New York Knicks made a circus of trades on Night 1 of the NBA Draft that resulted in pick 47 and four future second-round picks. Sources: New York traded No. 25 pick Sergio De Larrea to the Dallas Mavericks for No. 30 Koa Peat and two second-round picks. And then the Knicks traded Peat to the Phoenix Suns for three-rounders and cash. So Knicks move out of the first round — pick up 5 seconds and cash.