Despite making the NBA playoffs each of the last three seasons and reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in over 20 years, the New York Knicks have decided to go in a different direction with the firing of coach Tom Thibodeau. The question now becomes, what can the Knicks do to improve their squad?
Although Thibodeau brought renewed excitement to the Knicks organization, it wasn’t a surprise that he was terminated. Thibodeau has a reputation for being a solid coach who wears out his players while also welcoming them. And that appears to be the case with the Knicks.
Analyzing What The Knicks Can And Should Do This Summer
Thibodeau directed the Knicks to four winning seasons, topping the 50-victory mark twice and a 226-174 record overall. The Knicks went 24-23 in four playoff appearances, getting out of the first round in each of the last three campaigns. Before this three-year run, the Knicks hadn’t been to the postseason for three consecutive years since 2010-13. They last made the Eastern Conference Finals in 2000.
While there had been reports that Knicks president Leon Rose was behind Thibodeau’s roster, Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports stated that owner James Dolan was the orchestrator of the move.
“What was clear was Thibodeau’s firing being spearheaded by Knicks owner James Dolan, sources told Yahoo Sports,” Goodwill wrote. “Dolan and team president Leon Rose held exit meetings with key Knicks players, and the complaints were clear.”
“Dolan, who sources said was never a huge Thibodeau fan through the years, asked the questions in the meeting while Rose took a secondary role.”
“A couple of players felt like Thibodeau played the starters too many minutes and felt he had an inability to adjust,” sources said, Goddwill continued. “And another player said he didn’t feel like he could play for Thibodeau if the coach returned next season.”
Knicks’ Next Decision and Salary Constraints
One of the first decisions Rose will have to make is hiring a head coach. While there is no indication of who will ultimately get the job, it is unlikely to be Jason Kidd, Chris Finch, Rick Pitino, or Jay Wright. Wright has already stated that he is happy to stay retired, and Pitino has said he has no interest in the job. Regarding Kidd and Finch, they are both under contract, and Dallas and Minnesota are not expected to grant permission for the Knicks to speak with their head coaches.
However, Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported today that there is mutual interest between the Knicks and Kidd.
“There is ‘mutual intrigue’ between the Knicks and Jason Kidd in becoming New York’s next head coach,” Windhorst said on SportsCenter. “The Knicks will have to make a trade offer to the Mavs in order to get Kidd to New York.”
Whoever the Knicks decide to go with, Newsday’s Steve Popper noted that he will be walking into a high-pressure situation. A couple of coaching options that have been mentioned who shouldn’t get the job are Michael Malone and Mike Buddenholzer. Malone and Buddenholzer are known qualities and very similar to Thibodeau.
To Trade or Not Trade For Star?
Since New York doesn’t have a 2025 draft choice, Rose can turn his attention to improving the Knicks roster. Rose’s first order of business will be whether to exercise the team options on PJ Tucker ($3.4 million) and Ariel Hukporti ($1.9 million).
Tucker is 40 and won’t return. Meanwhile, Hukporti is a different story altogether. The 7-foot German is only 23 and showed some promise as a rim-protector and rebounder. He also is an outstanding finisher around the rim.
By releasing Tucker, it allows the Knicks to move closer to the first apron. Therefore, the Knicks would have $11 million to sign four players if they plan to stay below the second apron.
New York has been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant, as Popper pointed out. Antetokounmpo is an intriguing option. But the Knicks don’t have much draft capital. Therefore, they would likely have to give up Karl-Anthony Towns and either Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges for Antetokounmpo, who will be 31 in December. And Durant to the Knicks, just no.
“The trade with Brooklyn last June left New York with only one tradable first in the next seven years (a top-8-protected first from the Wizards in 2026),” ESPN’s Bobby Marks said. “The Knicks are allowed to swap firsts in 2026, 2030, and 2032 and have seven second-round picks available.”
Rather than making another splashy move, the Knicks should stay the course. At least until the trade deadline.
Why Is Staying The Course The Best Decision For The Knicks
There are several reasons why the Knicks should keep their recent core intact. As stated above, the Knicks lack significant assets, draft capital, and cap flexibility.
Furthermore, New York is coming off its best season since the 1999-2000 season. The Knicks won 51 games, one more than the previous season, and reached the Eastern Conference Finals after falling in the Eastern Conference semifinals the last two seasons. That is not to say the Knicks are close to a title, but there’s no reason for the team’s brass not to see what a second season will bring.
With continuity being proven more important than having a superstar-laden team — as seen in Oklahoma City, Indiana, Minnesota, and Denver — it is better to keep the core of the team together. Brunson, Hart, Towns, and Anunoby are under contract until 2028. However, Towns and Hart have the option to opt out in the summer of 2027. Meanwhile, Bridges enters the final year of his contract and is extension-eligible this summer.
New York had the second most efficient starting unit in the league, behind OKC. Granted, the Knicks were pretty healthy, with Jalen Brunson missing the most games of the starters of 17. The Knicks were 31-17 when their primary starting unit played together, including 8-6 in the playoffs. Their top unit outscored their opponents by 2.6 points per 100 possessions.
Strengths of the Knicks
New York was excellent offensively, ranking fifth in efficiency at 118.5 points per 100 possessions. The Knicks were a superb shooting team, finishing in the top eight in field goal, 3-point, and free throw percentages. While the Knicks were a low-volume 3-point shooting team, they were excellent at getting into the paint and on the offensive backboards. They also didn’t turn the ball over a ton.
Brunson has become a star since coming to New York, although he was a little less efficient than he was a year ago. Brunson led all five starters in double-figures with 26 points a game. However, shot selection is an issue for Brunson, which is something the new coach will need to address.
Towns seemed to enjoy his first season in the Big Apple, producing a double-double for the first time since 2020-21. Towns is treating a couple of injuries after suffering the ailments during the playoffs.
Anunoby, who played 70 games for the first time since his rookie campaign, had one of his best offensive seasons. He was less efficient in the postseason than he was during the regular season.
Bridges had a solid season, and Hart was terrific as a do-it-all player. The problem was arguably on the defensive end and bench,
What The Knicks Need To Improve?
Despite the Knicks’ success, there are relatively several areas the Knicks need to improve. Offensively, the Knicks need to improve their three-point proficiency. Yes, the Knicks were a good three-point shooting team percentage-wise, knocking down nearly 37% of their attempts from beyond the arc. However, their 12.8 made three-pointers per game, ranked in the bottom third of the league, and their three-point rate of 38.2% was the third-lowest of the year.
The Knicks have some good three-point shooters on their roster, including Towns, Landry Shamet, Brunson, Anunoby, McBride, and Bridges. Bridges struggled a little from deep, and Anunoby had the highest three-point rate at 44.8% clip of any Knick regular. By comparison, Derrick White‘s 3-point rate was 72%.
New York also has to get to the free-throw line more often. The Knicks connected on 80% of their free throws, though they ranked in the bottom third of the league in free throw attempts (20.7) and free throws made (16.5).
New York knew that they lacked size, a problem that had persisted for the past few years, particularly with Mitchell Robinson missing extended time. As a result of their lack of size, the Knicks were second-to-last with four blocks per game and 20th in paint points allowed (50 per game).
Depth was also an issue for the Knicks. While the new coach may be better at developing players than Thibodeau, the Knicks need to upgrade their bench. McBride has demonstrated that he is a capable No. 3 guard, and Cam Payne provides instant offense, although his defense is an issue.
What The Knicks Need To Add This Offseason?
New York’s biggest needs this offseason are an offensive playmaker, another frontcourt player with size, and three-point shooting off the bench.
Precious Achiouwa, Delone Wright, Payne, and Shamet are unrestricted free agents this summer. Achouwa is expected to return to the Knicks this offseason, although the same was said last year, according to Popper. Popper noted that the Knicks were dissatisfied with Achiouwa’s defense and consistency.
So, McBride and either Hart or Robinson figure to be the first players on the bench for the Knicks next season. With the Knicks limited to what they can spend, second-year pros Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Kolek could get their indoctrination in the NBA. The Knicks selected Dadiet with the No. 19 overall pick in last season’s draft due to his defensive potential.
Dadiet didn’t see much time with the Knicks, but he showed some offensive ability in the G-League. Kolek appeared in 41 games for the Knicks after demonstrating that he was too good for the G-League in eight contests. If Hukporti is on the squad, he will likely be in consideration for the second unit.
Popper added that Shamet is the most likely of the Knicks free agents to remain. This makes sense; Shamet is a 3-and-D wing who averaged 1.2 threes at a 39.7% clip this season for the Knicks. Depending on what the Knicks can do this offseason, it is conceivable that Payne and Wright will also return.
Will The Knicks Make A Trade?
In addition, all three of New York’s two-way players are free agents. Kevin McCullar Jr. and Anton Watson are restricted free agents, while MarJon Beauchamp is an unrestricted free agent. McCullar and Watson will seemingly return, at least on a two-way deal, though they could earn a standard contract before the season.
“If New York signs a player to the $5.7 million tax midlevel exception, then the second apron is triggered,” Marks stated. “The Knicks are allowed to make trades but cannot use more than 100% of the traded player exception if the post transactional salary exceeds the first apron. They are also not allowed to aggregate contracts if the salaries after the trade exceed the second apron.”
Speaking of a trade, Robinson is the likeliest player to get traded. Unless the Knicks can package Dadiet and Kolek or their remaining draft assets for a quality reserve, or they can’t work out an extension for Bridges.
Robinson is only 27 and will make just $13 million in the last year of his current deal. So, by trading Robinson, the Knicks should be able to save some money and pick up a reliable bench player, as well as perhaps an intriguing youngster.
Photo Credit © Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images
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