30 Teams in 30 Days: New York Knicks

Offseason
Last season
In many ways, 2023-24 represented the most impactful Knicks season in decades (and perhaps their best post-2000). That’s because the Knicks won 50 games, had an All-NBA player (Brunson), found gems on the bench, made a solid mid-season trade (Anunoby), rousted a frustrated fan base and looked like a true contender.
Brunson was terrific and led a Villanova-flavored group that sizzled and reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals before losing Game 7 to the Indiana Pacers at home. The only setback was Julius Randle’s season-ending shoulder injury in late January. Otherwise, coach Tom Thibodeau’s crew planted the seeds of optimism inside Madison Square Garden, where basketball is thriving again.
Summer summary
Just when you thought president Leon Rose couldn’t top what he has already done, maybe he did just that. He swung for the fence by getting Bridges from the Nets to add exactly what this team needed. Did it cost a ton of future Draft capital? Yes, five future first-round picks. But if the Knicks are contending for titles, that won’t matter.
Additionally, Brunson signed a team-friendly four-year extension worth a reported $156 million, allowing the Knicks to keep the roster intact and clear room for other deals. (Anunoby’s extension, by comparison, was for a reported five years and $212 million.) Losing Hartenstein was a blow, but the Knicks might fix that backup center void by the trade deadline. Lastly, Thibodeau got additional job security in New York after agreeing to a reported three-year extension in July.
Spotlight on
Mitchell Robinson is the lone low-post presence entering the season. This could be problematic for a team that shares a division with Sixers center Joel Embiid and Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis and may face Heat star Bam Adebayo at some point. Robinson’s health, defense and rebounding will be crucial.
How far can the Knicks go?
Has it been more than five decades since the last parade down Broadway? This franchise since then dealt with heartbreak, years of bad management and prime Michael Jordan. The Knicks have progressed from one H-word — hell — to hope.
A championship is a realistic goal for a team built to win. Brunson, Randle, Anunoby, Bridges, Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, Miles McBride … there’s depth, defense and an ability to excel in both half-court and up-tempo. The Knicks could very well be Boston’s biggest threat in the East.
Up next: Philadelphia 76ers | Previously: Boston Celtics
30 Teams in 30 Days: Complete schedule
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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