In a strategic move that changes the course of their offseason, the New York Knicks have successfully amended the Mikal Bridges trade, according to league sources. The initial trade agreement between the Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets had the potential to hard cap the Knicks at the $178.1 million mark, limiting their flexibility for the rest of the offseason. However, the addition of 27-year-old forward Mamadi Diakite and free-agent guard Shake Milton in a sign-and-trade deal has allowed the Knicks to avoid the dreaded hard cap at the first apron.

By taking back less money than they are sending out in the revised trade, the Knicks have managed to bypass the hard cap and can now venture as high as the $188.9 million second apron. This newfound financial flexibility opens up exciting possibilities for the team in re-signing big man Precious Achiuwa and utilizing the taxpayer midlevel exception, a $5.2 million tool that can be used to sign a free agent.

The search for a backup center has been a complicated task for the Knicks, as they lost former starting center Isaiah Hartenstein at the beginning of free agency. However, with the recent amendments to the trade, the team now has the freedom to address any flaws that may arise during the training camp or the season itself. They can either rely on Achiuwa, who has experience playing at the center position, or explore other options in the market.

Moreover, the Knicks' new financial flexibility means they can hold off on using their remaining draft capital, including the Detroit Pistons' 2025 first-rounder and first-round swaps in 2026 and 2030. Instead, they can focus on re-signing Achiuwa and making use of the taxpayer midlevel exception to bolster their roster. If necessary, they can also explore potential trades before the February trade deadline.

The Knicks front office has always prioritized flexibility, and this situation was no exception. By meticulously modeling different scenarios and planning ahead, the team was able to expand the Bridges trade and avoid being hard-capped at the first apron. In addition to the trade amendments, the Knicks also managed to create additional financial room by signing 2024 first-round pick Pacôme Dadiet to a contract that will pay him only 80 percent of the rookie scale, providing an extra $904,000 of wiggle room below the second apron in 2024.

With the ability to make more moves if desired, the Knicks enter the offseason with newfound flexibility and options. As their offseason continues to unfold, fans eagerly await to see how the team will utilize their resources and strengthen their roster for the upcoming season.

(Editor's note: Fred Katz is a staff writer for The Athletic NBA covering the New York Knicks.