New York Knicks

Can the New York Knicks sign a max free agent in 2028-29?

Season2026-27 2027-282028-292029-30 2030-31

Not through free agency. The Knicks have no cap space for 2028-29 (projected), and outside free agents can only sign for the max using cap space.

Max, 0-6 yrs (25%)

$47.2M

Max, 7-9 yrs (30%)

$56.7M

Max, 10+ yrs (35%)

$66.1M

Cap space

-$72.5M

Max starting salaries run $47.2M to $66.1M depending on experience (projected), and the Knicks' cap position is -$72.5M.

Without room, a max-level player can still arrive by trade (matching salary) or by the Knicks re-signing their own free agent with Bird rights, which works over the cap.

This is a forward look at 2028-29: it counts the contracts, options, and cap holds already on the Knicks books for that season. Signings, trades, and option decisions between now and then will move these numbers.

The rule behind this

A player's maximum starting salary is a percentage of the salary cap, set by his years of service: 25% with 0–6 years, 30% with 7–9, and 35% with 10 or more.

How do NBA max salaries work? →What is cap space? →What does renouncing a free agent mean? →

More Knicks questions

Do the New York Knicks have cap space in 2028-29?Are the New York Knicks in the luxury tax in 2028-29?Are the New York Knicks over the apron in 2028-29?Do the New York Knicks have the mid-level exception in 2028-29?Who are the New York Knicks free agents in 2028-29?What draft picks do the New York Knicks have?

Numbers come straight from the live Knicks cap sheet, recomputed whenever the data updates.