Miles “Deuce” McBride just dropped a bomb about his future with the New York Knicks, telling Kristian Winfield he is “a little disappointed” an extension hasn’t happened yet. He’s heading into the final season of his three-year, $13 million deal, set to make just under $4 million in 2026-27. Come next offseason, he’s scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent if the Knicks can’t agree to terms.
Deuce’s Heart on His Sleeve and Hustle on the Court
McBride wants to stay in New York, point blank. He told Winfield it’s “a little hard at times” after playing through injuries and being “through a lot with this team,” adding he’d “love to get something done.” Why wouldn’t he? The 26-year-old guard has spent all five of his NBA seasons with the Knicks, the team that drafted him 36th overall in 2021.
Last year, even battling a high ankle sprain and a core muscle injury that limited him to just 41 games, McBride still managed a career-high 12.0 points per game, shooting 41.3 percent from three. He saw a solid 26.3 minutes per night, ranking sixth on the entire Knicks squad in playing time. He feels he’s “continued to grow and improve every single year,” especially when he gets the “opportunity” in big moments. He’s shown up and wants to lock it down.
The CBA Snag That’s Holding Up Everything
So what’s the hang-up with extending a proven, dedicated player like Deuce? Lee Escobedo from the Knick of Time Show dropped a theory that makes you think. A specific rule in the collective bargaining agreement explains a lot: a veteran extension comes with a six-month trade restriction if it stretches past four total seasons, bumps the first-year salary more than 20 percent, or adds later raises above 5 percent. For a guy currently making $3.9 million like McBride, any new deal worth signing would likely trigger *all three* of those clauses.
Here’s the kicker: six months from an August signature on an extension means that trade restriction would run straight past the crucial February trade deadline. So, if the Knicks wanted the flexibility to both extend McBride AND potentially trade him later on, that option pretty much vanished way back in early August. It’s a brutal reality check on how the CBA can tie a team’s hands, even with a player who’s literally begging to stay put.
What’s Next for Deuce and the Champs?
Miles McBride is set to be an unrestricted free agent next offseason if nothing changes. While everyone waits to see what happens with his contract, he’s expected to play another key role off the bench for the defending NBA champions. They begin their season on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at home against the Philadelphia 76ers. The massive question hanging over everything is, how long will he actually be wearing that New York jersey? That’s the real nail-biter we’ll be watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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