4 Things Knicks: New Coach, New Season, Same Goal

NBA FINALS OR BUST
The New York Knicks aren’t old, but they are not young either. The average opening night age of their nine projected rotation players is 29 years old. They are built to win now.

Under former coach Tom Thibodeau, they showed progression over the last few years. They raised their win total from 37 to 47 to 50 to 51. They went from missing the playoffs, to losing in the second round in 6 games, then losing in the second round in 7 games, then reaching Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

But with the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers losing Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton respectively to Achilles tears, Knicks management did not want to take any chances headed into 2025-26. As I said at the time, I wouldn’t have fired Thibodeau, but I understood.

Knicks management expects Mike Brown to bring creativity to the offense, and to utilize his bench to keep his starters fresher for late in games, and late in the season. They extended Mikal Bridges and brought in veteran depth in the form of Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele. All of these moves were made to advance to the NBA Finals.

According to ESPN BET NBA Futures, as of October 22, 2025, the Knicks have the second-best odds (+1000), behind the Cleveland Cavaliers (+650), to advance out of the East. The Cavs won 64 games last season, anchored by superstar Donovan Mitchell and ascending Evan Mobley. But the East is deeper than most people think.

The Detroit Pistons gave the Knicks fits in last spring’s first round, fueled by 24-year-old Cade Cunningham. Despite all the rumors, Giannis Antetokounmpo still plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, Erik Spoelstra still coaches the Miami Heat, and Joel Embiid is still on the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Atlanta Hawks added Kristaps Porzingis, while the Orlando Magic added Desmond Bane to their young squad. Plus, the last two Eastern Conference champions, the Celtics and Pacers, return cores eager to prove they were not one-man shows.

You’ll get my season prediction below, but here’s one thing I am completely sure about. If you lived through the embarrassing dark days from 2001-2020, please allow yourself to enjoy this season.

Anything can happen over 82 games, but the Knicks are not only relevant again, they are legitimate NBA title contenders.

HOW THE KNICKS BUILT THEIR STARTERS
Due to load management, the Knicks essentially have six starters — with both Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson expected to take turns being on the court for the opening tip.

Here’s the Knicks’ starters by predicted order of shot attempts:

1. Jalen Brunson, 29, signed as a free agent (2022).
2. Karl-Anthony Towns, 29, acquired via trade (2024).
3. Mikal Bridges, 29, acquired via trade (2024).
4. OG Anunoby, 28, acquired via trade (2023).
5. Josh Hart, 30, acquired via trade (2023).
6. Mitchell Robinson, 27, drafted in 2^nd round (2018).

In ESPN’s NBA Rank poll, all six were ranked among the top 92 players in the league:

• #92 (Robinson)
• #69 (Hart)
• #48 (Bridges)
• #41 (Anunoby)
• #27 (Towns)
• #10 (Brunson)

HOW THE KNICKS REBUILT THEIR BENCH
Brown will take his time evaluating his talent and determining his rotation. Here’s the Knicks’ reserves by predicted order of minutes played:

1. Deuce McBride, 25, drafted in the 2^nd round (2021).
2. Jordan Clarkson, 33, signed as a free agent (2025).
3. Ariel Hukporti, 23, drafted in the 2^nd round (2024).
4. Guerschon Yabusele, 29, signed as a free agent (2025).
5. Tyler Kolek, 24, drafted in the 2^nd round (2024).
6. Landry Shamet, 28, signed as a free agent (2024).
7. Pacome Dadiet, 20, drafted in the 1^st round (2024).
8. Trey Jemison III, 25, signed as a free agent (2025).
9. Kevin McCullar Jr, 24, drafted in the 2^nd round (2024).
10. Tosan Evbuomwan, 24, signed as a free agent (2025).
11. Mohamed Diawara, 20, drafted in the 2^nd round (2025).

 
SEASON OUTLOOK
When Thibodeau leaves your organization, the primary concern is on the defensive end of the court. However, five of the Knicks’ top 7 players (Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, McBride, and Robinson) are all considered above-average defenders.

Last season, despite the fact that they were incorporating two new starters, the Knicks finished ninth in the league, allowing 111.7 points per game. Based on their collective experience, they should remain a Top 10 defensive team despite playing with increased pace.

On offense, and I’ve beaten this drum a lot, the Knicks were at their best last season when the ball moved and everyone got involved. That’s been Brown’s philosophy in his coaching career, and his message since the opening of training camp.

Last season, they placed 11^th in the NBA with 27.5 assists per game. However, that’s misleading as they incorporated more iso for  Brunson and Towns as the season went on. As a matter of fact, in 18 playoff games, they never once topped 26 assists.

The Knicks will be a more rounded team if they share the ball all season. It keeps everyone engaged on both ends of the court and will also save everyone’s energy for the playoffs. It will also save Brunson’s legs for the inevitable moments when the Knicks will need him to take over a game.

Season Prediction
54-28, 2^nd seed in the Eastern Conference.

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