New York

Knicks

Exhibit 9 contracts are non-guaranteed contracts for training camp that protect the team if the player suffers a significant injury before the start of the regular season. With the Knicks lacking cap space and needing depth, experienced veterans that can be had on minimum contracts like Agbaji and Wiseman are useful additions. Neither player should have much of an impact in fantasy leagues, though.

An Exhibit 9 contract pays the league minimum and is non-guaranteed, which would allow the Knicks to move on from Brown if he suffers a significant injury before the start of the regular season. Brown, a 2023 NBA Champion with the Nuggets, appeared in all 82 games for Denver last year. He averaged 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists. It’s not difficult to imagine Brown carving out a bench role for himself with the defending NBA Champions.

The Knicks signed Miličić to an Exhibit 10 contract a few days ago, opening the door for him to join the franchise’s G League affiliate. If the former Tennessee forward spends 60 days in Westchester, he’ll receive a bonus worth up to $91,000 in addition to his G League salary.

Traded to the Timberwolves in late August as part of a deal designed to free up the cap space Minnesota needed to sign Jonathan Kuminga, Konchar has reportedly found a new home. Between Memphis and Utah, he appeared in 26 games last season, averaging 5.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 26.2 minutes. While availability has been a concern and the Knicks’ rotation limits his fantasy ceiling, Konchar can be an asset in deeper category leagues.

Not selected in the 2025 draft, Milicić agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the 76ers but was waived before the start of the 2025-26 campaign. During his final season of college basketball, the 6-foot-10 forward averaged 9.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game at Tennessee. The Knicks have not filled any of their available two-way contract slots, so Milicić is likely competing for one of those opportunities in training camp.

The episode is set to air on NBC and Peacock on September 26. After leading the Knicks to their first championship in 53 years, Brunson, the reigning Finals MVP, is on top of the basketball world. Now he’ll join a long line of pro athletes who have hosted Saturday Night Live. Brunson had offseason wrist surgery, but he’s expected to be ready for training camp later this month. The 30-year-old point guard has an ADP in the late-second round of fantasy drafts.

Despite an injured left wrist, Brunson led the Knicks to their first NBA title since 1973 this past spring. Now focused on retaining the crown for another season, the star point guard is in a good place health-wise after undergoing surgery on his left wrist earlier this summer. Brunson told the New York Post that he “feels good,” and he’s expected to be ready when training camp opens in late September. Given the timeline, fantasy managers should not have any concerns about Brunson’s availability. He should be either a second- or third-round pick in standard league drafts.

Per usual, the NBA will have its brightest stars playing on Christmas Day. The NBA Finals rematch will start the day at 12 p.m. ET and will be followed by Heat-Celtics, 76ers-Lakers, Thunder-Timberwolves and Nuggets-Warriors. Aside from the team and player rivalries that will add to the drama, this will also be LeBron James’ return to Los Angeles after spending the last eight seasons as a Laker.

The most important note here is the start time. Typically, there are two night games on opening night, but this game will tip off at 3 p.m. ET. Managers will have to set their lineups earlier than usual. There are still two night games, with the defending-champion Knicks hosting the new-look 76ers, which will be followed by a Western Conference Finals rematch, with the Spurs hosting the Thunder. All three games will be broadcasted on NBC and Peacock. Other nationally-televised games for the first week have been revealed as well, and the full schedule will be released this week.

In the aftermath of a court decision that now allows college players five seasons of eligibility, CBS Sports reported that Nickel was considering a return to college. In addition to entering the draft in the spring, the former Vanderbilt sharpshooter entered his name into the transfer portal. Another season of college basketball could also earn Nickel more money than a deal with the Knicks, based on projections that he could command seven figures in NIL payments. However, Nickel is reportedly focused on starting his NBA career. The question is whether the Knicks will sign him to a standard contract or a two-way contract, with the latter option allowing the team to save some cap space as the front office finalizes the roster.