Mikal Bridges (left) will team up with 2 of his former Villanova teammates — Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson — in 2024-25.
Offseason
- Re-signing: Precious Achiuwa, OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Jacob Toppin
- Additions: Keita Bates-Diop (trade), Mikal Bridges (trade), Cameron Payne (free agency), Karl-Anthony Towns (trade)
- Draft: Pacome Dadiet (No. 25 pick), Tyler Kolek (No. 34), Kevin McCullar Jr. (No. 56), Ariel Hukporti (No. 58)
- Departures: Bojan Bogdanovic (to Nets), Alec Burks (to Heat), Mamadi Diakite (to Nets), Donte DiVincenzo (to Timberwolves), Isaiah Hartenstein (to Thunder), Shake Milton (to Nets), Julius Randle (to Timberwolves)
- Unsigned Free Agents: Charlie Brown Jr., DaQuan Jeffries, Duane Washington Jr.
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, with a pair of major deals before camp.
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.
And then: He swapped Randle and Donte DiVincenzo for Towns. This was a needed addition because the Knicks were thin on the front line. Not only does Towns give them stability there, but his ability to stretch the floor helps Brunson.
Speaking of which: Brunson signed a very team-friendly 4-year, $156 million extension, allowing the Knicks to keep the roster intact and clear room for Towns’ arrival. Anunoby’s extension, by comparison, was 5 years, $212 million. Losing Hartenstein was a blow, but the Knicks might fix that backup center void by the trade deadline.
Rookie profile
Introducing Tyler Kolek of the New York Knicks, the No. 34 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Spotlight on
Mitchell Robinson is coming back from yet another injury absence. He’ll be the point man defensively for a team that shares a division with Joel Embiid and the Sixers, Kristaps Porzingis and the Celtics and they might need to deal with Bam Adebayo and the Heat. Can Robinson stay healthy?
How far can the Knicks go?
Has it really been five decades since the last parade down Broadway? This franchise since then dealt with heartbreak, years of bad management and prime Michael Jordan. Well, the Knicks have progressed from one H-word — hell — to hope.
Mikal Bridges is excited to join the Knicks, who look to build on a 50-win season and challenge the Celtics in the East.
A championship is a realistic goal for a team built to win. Brunson, Towns, Anunoby, Bridges, Josh Hart, 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.
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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.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery.
