Miles “Deuce” McBride, the guy who scratched and clawed his way into the rotation, is suddenly at a crossroads: all his hard-earned success in New York might actually be playing him right out of town. This isn’t some quiet rumor, it’s the real deal, and it’s got everyone wondering what the heck is going on.
From Diamond in the Rough to Certified Sparkplug
Remember when Deuce first landed as the 36th pick back in the 2021 draft? He was that short, square-jawed defender, a total bulldog, but man, his jump shot was shaky. We’re talking 25% on less than two attempts a game as a rookie. But coach Tom Thibodeau, bless his grizzled heart, didn’t care about the offense. He absolutely loved watching the 6’2″ guard just hound ballhandlers, like a German shepherd absolutely harassing a cockapoo all the way down the court. The dude had grit, and eventually, the offense started to follow. McBride put in serious reps down in Westchester, patiently waited his turn behind the vets, and spent countless hours rebuilding that jumper in the gym. That three-point shot, once his biggest weakness, became one of his greatest strengths, soaring to a scorching 41% on 6.6 attempts per game during their championship season. Naturally, his playing time exploded too, jumping from nine minutes a game to a solid 26.
The Steal That Became a Sticking Point
When RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley got traded to the Raptors on December 30, 2023, the very next item on Leon Rose’s to-do list was locking down McBride. On that same day, the then 23-year-old former West Virginia Mountaineer agreed to a three-year, $13 million fully guaranteed extension. That front-loaded deal started the following season and runs through 2026-27, with his salary actually decreasing each year. And let me tell you, Deuce didn’t just meet expectations; he absolutely crushed them, significantly outperforming that contract. He stepped into a much bigger role, got way more efficient, became a true two-way guard, and posted career highs in points, minutes, and assists. He wasn’t just a reliable sparkplug off the bench; he even started 43 games! Even better for the team, that contract gave them massive roster flexibility under the league’s salary-cap and apron rules. Current estimates peg his market value at $10 million to $12 million a year, probably even higher, while his actual cap hits are insanely low: around $4.7 million in 2024-25, $4.3 million in 2025-26, and less than $4 million in 2026-27. And get this: the guy proved his absolute warrior mentality during the championship run, playing through pain after hernia surgery in February sidelined him for about two months. He literally said it felt “like someone stabbing your groin, hip and ab at the same time,” but he still played!
The Looming Decision That Could Change Everything
Now, all that incredible success could actually be the very thing that pushes Deuce out of New York. Stefan Bondy reported in the New York Post that McBride, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Josh Hart are all eligible for extensions and remain unsigned. Deuce’s situation is the one that really makes you raise an eyebrow. He didn’t sign before the August 11 soft deadline. If he extends now, it means the Knicks can’t trade him during the season. Bondy thinks a new deal is unlikely and highlighted McBride as potentially the Knicks’ most intriguing asset, maybe even implying a trade.
What’s next for McBride and New York is a huge question mark. Will he be the odd man out, a victim of his own spectacular performance? You gotta wonder what the front office is cooking up, and what a move like this would truly mean for their future. This is going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Posting and Toasting.
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