The Knicks can bring five veteran additions to training camp because their Exhibit 9 contracts do not count against the salary cap before the regular season. Keeping them afterward changes the calculation: New York’s plan to remain below the second apron likely leaves room for just one.
Bruce Brown, Ochai Agbaji, James Wiseman, Drew Eubanks and John Konchar have all signed Exhibit 9 deals. They will compete for a regular-season job, with no guaranteed place attached to any of those signings. RealGM
How five contracts fit during camp
An Exhibit 9 is a provision attached to a non-guaranteed training-camp contract. These one-year, minimum-salary agreements let a team evaluate players before their salaries enter its regular-season cap calculation. Teams can carry up to six such contracts, so New York’s five veteran signings fit within that allowance. Hoops Rumors’ contract guide
That gives the Knicks time to compare players in practices and preseason games before committing their remaining spending room. Signing Brown does not require immediately choosing him over Konchar, and bringing in Wiseman does not mean New York has already decided to retain another center.
The injury provision makes that evaluation less financially risky. Under the collective bargaining agreement, if a player suffers a qualifying injury while playing for the team and his contract is terminated before the regular season, Exhibit 9 limits the team’s injury-related salary obligation to $15,000. NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement, Exhibit 9
New York has already used that protection. In the 2024 preseason, Landry Shamet dislocated his shoulder and was waived from an Exhibit 9 contract. The Knicks incurred a $15,000 cap charge. The provision reduced their obligation, but the injury still cost them some spending room. Hoops Rumors’ account
Why two open spots may produce only one job
As of September 16, the Knicks had 13 guaranteed contracts against a regular-season maximum of 15 standard roster spots. But retaining two of the veterans would take their payroll above the second apron, according to Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors. Owner James Dolan has said he intends to keep the team below that threshold. Hoops Rumors, republished by Yardbarker
The reported limit comes from ownership’s spending policy, rather than an NBA-imposed hard cap preventing New York from crossing the line. A salary-reducing trade—or a change in that policy—could allow more than one newcomer to stay. Without either, the Knicks would have a second vacant roster spot but insufficient room below the second apron for another full-season veteran contract.
The Knicks must also choose which position to fill. Brown, Agbaji and Konchar offer perimeter options; Wiseman and Eubanks offer size. SNY’s reporting identifies the same decision: retaining a wing or a big man unless a trade changes the roster. SNY’s report via Yahoo Sports
What changes when camp ends
For a player who survives this year’s cuts, the salary begins counting when the regular season starts. Remaining non-guaranteed does not keep that salary outside the cap calculation.
Making the opening roster also does not automatically guarantee the entire season’s pay. The CBA’s league-wide full-salary protection takes effect January 10. NBA–NBPA collective bargaining agreement, Uniform Player Contract, paragraph 16 To avoid that protection, a player must clear waivers before January 10, making January 7 the practical deadline for requesting waivers, subject to the applicable contract and injury rules. Players still on waivers January 10 receive full-salary protection. Hoops Rumors’ guarantee-deadline explanation