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Time of death: May 31, 2025
Record at elimination: 51-31 (10-8 in playoffs)
Head coach: Tom Thibodeau
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/new-york-knicks/yearly
Contract summary:
KAT – 3yr/180M remain, final year 61M PO
OG Anuoby – 4yr/170M remain, final year 48M PO
Brunson – 4yr/155M remain, final year 43M PO
Bridges – 1yr/25M (I think he can be extended?)
Hart – 3yr/60M remain, final year 22M TO
Mitchell Robinson – extension eligible, or 12M expiring
Precious Achiuwa – UFA
Miles McBride – extension eligible, or 2yr/8M remain
Cam Payne – UFA
Delon Wright – UFA
Landry Shamet – UFA
PJ Tucker - UFA
Rookie Scale/minimums (varies on 2-4 years remaining):
Tyler Kolek – 3yrs remain
Pacome Dadiet – 3yr remain
Ariel Hukporti – 2M TO
TW
MarJon Beauchamp
Kevin McCullar
Anton Watson
Dead-cap – 800K off the books this season, NONE retained next.
Capspace – 1st apron, hardcapped. Few UFAs off the books, but still limited maneuverability to reach roster floor
PICKS for 2025 draft:
MEM 2nd
A SMALL SEASON REVIEW:
https://www.espn.com/nba/team/schedule/_/name/ny/seasontype/2
New York was a surprise team for me, and much improved from last season's playoff exit. There were makings of a squad that could compete each night, but adding Mikal Bridges in the offseason for a major haul of picks was critical to bringing NYK back to the EC Finals. I do think the cost to get there was significant, it helps that Brunson played a stellar season. For me, his clutch performances - and this team's ability to fight to the end no matter what - bought extra wins during the year. Surely in the playoffs.
For that matter, the Knicks faced upstarts Detroit in R1 and were treated to a very intense first round series seeing multiple games lost at home for each squad. It was thrilling as a neutral (and I'm happy to see DET back in the mix) but NYK was the superior team, prevailing 4-2.
In Round 2, the Knicks drew No. 2 seed Boston. A tough series vs the defending champs. Things did not go the Celts' way, however, losing both games 1 and 2. Knicks forced comebacks and won in dramatic fashion to take a commanding lead. Though they did drop G3, the NY squad prevailed in a tense Game 4. Also, Tatum was injured in that game - giving the Knicks even more landing room to power into the ECF. They did just that, meeting the Indiana Pacers in a rivalry renewed from the late-90's and early 2000's. Though it was unexpected for both teams to reach that level, one had to prevail, and the Pacers pushed past NY in 6 games.
A valiant playoff run, and a pretty nice season all things considered. KAT / OG / Bridges / Brunson / Hart was the big time lineup for this team, and they play well together. There are some cracks though as the deep rotation was seldom utilised, and it showed in the playoffs. Players were gassed as the team used a short rotation. Thibs, well known for this strategy, I do believe helped this team achieve more. At the time of writing this recap (A few days after NYK was eliminated) the Knicks released Thibs of his service. So, yeah, they are in the market now for a new coach to try to get the team back to the Finals.
It's brought more questions up to the front during the first weeks of the offseason after I was pretty convinced they would run it back (with an EC that could be wide-open). There's some limited maneuverability to be had in the offseason, but this core is set, and the fringes are where they will improve.
