Knicks' Strategic Draft-and-Stash
Knicks Draft Sergio De Larrea as Strategic Stash to Secure Cap Space for Robinson
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Key Points
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De Larrea is a 6'6" guard with a 6'9" wingspan who earned Liga Endesa Best Young Player honors after developing with Valencia Basket, and he shot 40.7% from three in pro competition, highlighting a high-IQ, shooting-first profile.
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The Knicks moved down one spot to No. 25 with the Lakers to secure De Larrea, giving the team a high-upside draft-and-stash prospect rather than pursuing immediate help higher in the draft.
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If De Larrea stays overseas this season, his $3.2 million rookie-scale salary would not count against the Knicks’ books, helping cap flexibility as they look to re-sign Mitchell Robinson and manage other core salaries.
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Analysts emphasize his versatility as a multi-positional guard who can run the pick-and-roll, shoot off the catch, and develop into a secondary playmaker behind Jalen Brunson, with some comparisons drawing on left-handed playmaking styles similar to Dragic or Brogdon.
The New York Knicks selected Spanish guard Sergio De Larrea with the No. 25 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, then immediately arranged to stash him overseas — a calculated move to free up cap space and re-sign center Mitchell Robinson. Audacy reported the Knicks traded down one spot from No. 24 with the Los Angeles Lakers to land De Larrea, acquiring cash in the process.
De Larrea, a 20-year-old, 6'6" guard from Valencia Basket, is expected to stay in Spain for the 2026-27 season. That keeps his $3.2 million rookie salary off the Knicks' books entirely, according to Yahoo Sports.
One Spot Down, Millions in Cap Space Saved
At 10:43 PM ET on draft night, the Knicks sent the No. 24 pick to the Lakers for No. 25 and cash. The Lakers used No. 24 on Cameron Carr from Baylor, then selected De Larrea at No. 25 on the Knicks' behalf. Newsday reported the deal was designed to save every possible dollar against the luxury tax.
Knicks owner James Dolan had already drawn a hard line. "There are certain things in the NBA that you'd have to be suicidal to do," Dolan said on WFAN. "One of them is the second apron. Cannot go into the second apron." The second apron is set at $222 million for 2026-27 — crossing it freezes draft picks and strips the team of key roster tools.
Stashing De Larrea Unlocks Path to Keep Robinson
Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks' starting center and a defensive cornerstone, is an unrestricted free agent. A projected 4-year, $80-90 million deal is expected. By stashing De Larrea — meaning the rookie stays overseas and his salary doesn't count — the Knicks effectively found $3.2 million in breathing room to make that offer work.
Robinson is "very open" to returning to New York, according to reports. He averaged 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game last season and was a key figure in the Knicks' first NBA title in 53 years. Keeping him is the front office's top priority, Audacy noted.
Who Is De Larrea? A High-IQ Guard Built for the Long Game
De Larrea won the Liga Endesa Best Young Player award in 2026. He stands 6'6" with a 6'9" wingspan. He shot 41.2% from three this past season across Liga ACB and EuroLeague play, averaging 9.7 points and 3.7 assists per game, according to SSB Crack.
Analysts describe him as a "high-IQ, high-feel floor general" with strong pick-and-roll instincts and shooting off the catch. Concerns remain about his lateral quickness on defense and limited burst. Some draw comparisons to left-handed playmakers like Goran Dragic or Malcolm Brogdon — a patient, skilled passer who runs an offense efficiently without needing the ball in his hands constantly.
Dynasty Move or Cost-Cutting? The Debate Among Fans
Not everyone is sold. Some fans argue the defending champions should have taken a ready-to-play college senior at No. 24 to strengthen the bench for a repeat run. Critics call the De Larrea pick a "cost-cutting move" that puts Dolan's wallet ahead of the team's depth, per discussions flagged by Head Topics.
National analysts push back. Keeping Robinson — the league's best offensive rebounder — over a 10th-man rookie is widely seen as the right call. The Knicks received an A- draft grade for the maneuver. "Moving down one spot and still getting a target like De Larrea is textbook management," one analyst wrote. The Knicks also picked up future second-round picks in related deals with the Mavericks and Suns, replenishing assets thinned by earlier trades.
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