New York Knicks guard Miles McBride faces an uncertain future with the organization as contract extension talks have failed to gain traction ahead of the 2026-27 season.
With training camp underway as the Knicks prepare to defend their NBA championship, The Athletic's Fred Katz reported Friday that McBride is “not close” to receiving an extension. McBride is one of four Knicks players eligible for new deals, joining Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and Tyler Kolek.
“Four Knicks — Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles ‘DeuIIce’ McBride, Josh Hart and Tyler Kolek — are eligible for extensions,” Katz wrote. “Hart said Monday he does not expect one to get done. McBride is not close to receiving one, league sources told The Athletic. Kolek is lower on the list of priorities. And then there’s Towns, the six-time All-Star who threw the team over his back and hauled them to the finish line throughout parts of the 2026 postseason.”
McBride's situation comes as New York searches for ways to improve its frontcourt while operating with limited financial flexibility. ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel reported earlier in the week that the Knicks have explored minor trades involving McBride and Pacome Dadiet as they seek another impactful center.
“Adding another big man is a priority for the Knicks, sources said, leading many to assume that one of these three centers will make the Opening Night roster on some sort of partially guaranteed deal,” Siegel wrote. “The Knicks have also been aggressive looking for minor deals on the trade block utilizing the contracts of Pacome Dadiet and Miles McBride in hopes of adding an impactful center to their bench unit.”
Miles McBride, Karl-Anthony Towns extensions add to Knicks' financial decisions
New York has two open roster spots but sits approximately $3.2 million below the second apron. Owner James Dolan has made clear the organization does not intend to cross that threshold, creating additional pressure as the front office weighs roster moves and potential extensions.
McBride is not the only prominent Knicks player whose long-term future remains unresolved. Towns' extension negotiations have also stagnated, with ESPN's Shams Charania recently reporting that an agreement entering training camp is considered “unlikely.”
SNY's Ian Begley reported that New York has discussed potential Towns deals beginning in the $45 million to $50 million range. Towns also holds a $61 million player option for the 2027-28 season, which could further complicate the Knicks' efforts to remain below the second apron.
Hart, meanwhile, said he does not expect to reach an extension, while Katz described Kolek as a lower priority.
That leaves New York balancing several contract decisions while attempting to maintain the roster that captured the franchise's first championship since 1973.
McBride's situation carries another layer of uncertainty because of the Knicks' reported willingness to include his contract in trade discussions. While no deal appears imminent, the combination of stalled extension talks and New York's search for another center places his future among the roster questions worth monitoring as the defending champions prepare for the new season.