Could Kris Murray become a target for the New York Knicks? Memphis’ crowded roster may create an opportunity for the defending NBA champions to add a young two-way forward.

The New York Knicks have made it clear throughout the offseason that they are willing to wait.

Rather than filling every roster spot immediately, Leon Rose has chosen to preserve flexibility, believing that unexpected opportunities will emerge as teams across the NBA finalize their opening-night rosters.

One player who could eventually benefit from that approach is Kris Murray.

The former first-round pick finds himself in an uncertain position with the Memphis Grizzlies, and while no decision has been made regarding his future, New York may have every reason to monitor the situation closely.

Memphis Has a Roster Crunch to Solve

The Grizzlies enter training camp with more players than they can carry into the regular season.

That surplus means difficult decisions are inevitable, and several players currently sit on the edge of the roster bubble.

Murray, who arrived in Memphis as part of the blockbuster trade involving Ja Morant, has yet to establish himself in the Grizzlies’ rotation. With Memphis prioritizing immediate competitiveness while also managing its salary structure, younger players without clearly defined roles could become expendable before opening night.

Reports surrounding the franchise suggest that multiple options remain on the table, including trades, waived contracts and potential buyout negotiations. Murray’s name has consistently appeared among those facing the greatest uncertainty.

Although it is uncommon for a recent first-round selection to become available so early in his career, NBA roster mathematics often forces organizations into uncomfortable decisions.

Why Kris Murray Could Thrive With the Knicks

For the Knicks, Murray represents exactly the type of developmental gamble that could produce long-term value.

There is already a connection between the player and New York.

The draft rights that ultimately became Murray originally belonged to the Knicks before being included in the trade that brought Josh Hart to Madison Square Garden. Ironically, circumstances could now create a second opportunity for both sides.

While Murray has yet to produce consistently at the NBA level, his offensive profile aligns remarkably well with the style Mike Brown wants to emphasize.

A significant percentage of his shot attempts come either at the rim or from the corners—two of the most efficient scoring areas in modern basketball. That shot selection reflects strong decision-making, even if the overall shooting percentages have not yet matched the quality of those opportunities.

Playing within a championship-caliber environment could help unlock more of his potential.

Unlike rebuilding teams where young players often develop under constant pressure, the Knicks could offer Murray a clearly defined role surrounded by experienced veterans such as Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. That stability frequently accelerates player development.

His size, defensive versatility and willingness to embrace a complementary role would also fit naturally into New York’s culture.

The Knicks do not need another high-volume scorer.

They need intelligent role players capable of defending multiple positions, making quick decisions and spacing the floor when opportunities arise. Murray possesses many of those raw tools, even if his production has yet to catch up with his potential.

Whether Memphis ultimately decides to move on remains uncertain.

However, if roster pressures force the Grizzlies to make difficult cuts, Leon Rose could once again find value where other organizations see excess.

Championship teams are often strengthened not only by blockbuster acquisitions, but by identifying overlooked talent before everyone else.

Kris Murray may never become a superstar.

But in the right system, surrounded by the right teammates, he could become exactly the type of low-risk, high-upside addition that helps the Knicks defend their NBA title.

Could Moussa Cissé still join the New York Knicks? Dallas’ roster situation could create an unexpected opportunity for the defending NBA champions.

Only a few weeks ago, it appeared that Moussa Cissé was on his way to New York.

The Knicks identified the young center as an intriguing frontcourt addition and extended him a contract offer, only to see the Dallas Mavericks exercise their right to match it and retain the restricted free agent. At the time, it seemed the story had reached its conclusion.

But in the NBA, roster situations can change quickly.

As training camp approaches, Dallas finds itself facing a numbers problem that could unexpectedly reopen the door for the defending champion Knicks.

Dallas Faces a Difficult Roster Decision

The Mavericks currently have more players under contract than they can carry into the regular season, forcing the front office to evaluate several difficult options over the coming weeks.

Unlike rebuilding teams that can simply waive non-guaranteed contracts, Dallas has relatively few straightforward decisions available. Most of its roster is already committed, leaving little flexibility without sacrificing guaranteed salary or parting with a player the organization would prefer to keep.

Cissé’s contract adds another layer of complexity.

Part of his deal becomes guaranteed on September 1, creating an important deadline for the Mavericks. If Dallas wants to create roster flexibility before additional salary becomes fully protected, it may need to act quickly.

Alternative solutions exist, but none appear particularly simple. The organization could explore trades or negotiate other contractual arrangements, yet every scenario comes with financial and competitive consequences.

That uncertainty is precisely why Cissé’s future remains worth monitoring.

Why Cissé Still Makes Sense for the Knicks

From New York’s perspective, very little has changed.

The Knicks pursued Cissé because they believed his athletic profile fit their long-term vision. At just 23 years old, he offers elite shot-blocking ability, excellent mobility for his size and the defensive upside that championship teams value in reserve centers.

Those qualities remain attractive today.

Following Mitchell Robinson’s departure, New York has continued searching for additional frontcourt depth behind its established rotation. While the Knicks have deliberately avoided rushing into another signing, Leon Rose has consistently demonstrated that patience often creates better opportunities later in the offseason.

If Dallas ultimately decides it cannot keep Cissé, the Knicks would immediately become a logical destination.

The organization already showed its interest by making an offer earlier this summer, and Mike Brown’s system could provide an ideal environment for the young center’s continued development.

His ability to protect the rim, rebound and run the floor would complement New York’s defensive identity while giving the coaching staff another athletic option for different matchup situations.

Equally important is his upside.

Unlike many veteran free agents still available, Cissé represents a player whose best basketball could still be ahead of him. Adding a young, developing center to an already championship-caliber roster would allow the Knicks to strengthen both their present and future.

For now, everything depends on Dallas.

The Mavericks must solve their roster puzzle before the regular season begins, and the September contract guarantee adds urgency to that process.

Whether Cissé remains in Texas or unexpectedly becomes available again remains uncertain.

What is certain is that the Knicks have already shown how highly they value him.

If circumstances change over the coming weeks, don’t be surprised if Leon Rose makes another call. Sometimes the best offseason additions are not the ones made first—they are the ones that become possible only after the rest of the league is forced to make difficult decisions.

Could Dorian Finney-Smith become available before the 2026-27 NBA season? Here’s why the veteran forward could be an intriguing depth addition for the defending champion New York Knicks.

The New York Knicks have approached the 2026 offseason with patience, resisting the urge to make unnecessary moves after winning the NBA championship. President Leon Rose and the front office have consistently emphasized flexibility, leaving open roster spots while monitoring the market for opportunities that could strengthen an already elite team.

One player who could unexpectedly enter that conversation is Dorian Finney-Smith.

Although nothing is guaranteed, uncertainty surrounding the veteran forward’s future with the Charlotte Hornets has sparked speculation that he could eventually become available. If that happens, the defending champions would almost certainly have reason to explore whether one of the league’s most versatile role players fits into Mike Brown’s plans.

Why Finney-Smith’s Future in Charlotte Is Uncertain

Finney-Smith’s situation is unusual.

Despite remaining a respected veteran with playoff experience, reports suggest he may not be part of Charlotte’s long-term plans. The Hornets continue to prioritize developing younger talent, making it difficult to guarantee meaningful minutes for an experienced forward whose timeline does not necessarily match the franchise’s current direction.

The biggest obstacle to any move is financial.

Finney-Smith is still owed approximately $13.3 million for the upcoming season, a figure that complicates any decision. Waiving a fully guaranteed contract of that size before the season is uncommon, while finding a trade partner willing to absorb the salary may also prove challenging.

Still, NBA rosters often change dramatically before opening night. If Charlotte ultimately decides to create additional flexibility or prioritize younger players, Finney-Smith’s future could quickly become one of the more interesting storylines of the preseason.

How He Could Fit Mike Brown’s Championship Rotation

Should Finney-Smith reach free agency, the Knicks would likely face competition from several contenders.

His value has never been measured solely by statistics. Instead, he has built his reputation through elite perimeter defense, positional versatility and a willingness to embrace any role required by his team.

Those qualities perfectly align with the culture Mike Brown has established in New York.

The Knicks already possess one of the NBA’s strongest wing rotations with OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, but adding another experienced two-way forward would provide valuable insurance over the course of a long season.

Finney-Smith’s ability to defend multiple positions would allow Brown even greater tactical flexibility. He could seamlessly slot into different lineups, help manage the workload of New York’s starters and even spend stretches as a small-ball power forward in playoff matchups that demand defensive switching.

His championship experience and team-first mentality would also fit naturally inside one of the league’s deepest locker rooms.

While Finney-Smith saw a limited role with the Houston Rockets last season, a move to New York could offer an opportunity to contribute to another title contender while playing meaningful minutes in high-pressure situations.

At this stage, the scenario remains speculative.

Charlotte has yet to make a definitive decision regarding the veteran forward, and the financial realities surrounding his contract make any move difficult to predict.

However, championship organizations are built by identifying value before everyone else.

The Knicks have demonstrated throughout Leon Rose’s tenure that they are willing to wait patiently for the right opportunity rather than force unnecessary transactions. If Dorian Finney-Smith unexpectedly becomes available, he could represent exactly the type of low-risk, high-impact addition capable of strengthening New York’s quest to defend its NBA championship.