The 2024-2025 NBA season is finally winding down, with the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder tied at a game apiece in the NBA Finals. Once that series is decided, the basketball world will turn its attention to the much-awaited offseason. The 2025 NBA Draft is one of the more interesting editions of recent years. Then, free agency and trade season will commence in the dead of summer. Potential deals involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant could shake the league’s landscape, setting up this off-season as one of the wildest in the sport’s history.
“I think this offseason might be the most craziest ever.”
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— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 27, 2025
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Knicks’ Outlook Heading Into 2025 Off-Season
One of, if not the key team, that could decide the direction of this transaction cycle is the New York Knicks. Fresh off their first Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, NY has officially joined the NBA’s elite tier. However, they still have work to do to firmly say they can beat teams such as OKC and Indiana. The league is wide open heading into next year, but the outcome of possible Antetokounmpo and Durant trades could shift things. It’s impossible to know who will make what moves, but one thing is certain: Leon Rose needs to improve this Knicks roster heading into next year.
Wide Open East/League
The first important aspect of the Knicks’ outlook to understand is that the Eastern Conference is completely wide open. New York beating the defending-champion Celtics, as well as Jayson Tatum‘s tragic Achilles injury, has shut Boston’s window as the dominant team in the East. The 64-win Cavaliers were ousted in five games for the third straight year, and Indiana is certainly beatable. Squads like the Magic and Pistons should improve heading into next season, but New York is squarely in the top two of the East. They must bolster their roster through depth moves or a trade, but Knicks fans should feel extremely happy with where their team is positioned.
Knicks Can Improve in Three Ways
1. Giannis Trade
Let’s start off with the most popular direction for New York to approach this offseason: a Giannis trade. After four straight disappointing playoff exits in Milwaukee after the 2021 championship, it is finally time for the Bucks to rebuild. They have very few trade assets, future draft capital, and existing talent on the roster. If both Giannis and Milwaukee want to finish the story together, he can endure a grueling, extended rebuild. However, Antetokounmpo is 30 years old and is approaching the backside of his prime. He’s still a top-two player in the world and deserves more chances to win titles. He won’t get that chance in Milwaukee for at least three years.
If he chooses to formally request a trade from the Bucks, the Knicks should at least make the call. Unfortunately, NY has nowhere near the best possible offer to give Milwaukee, as teams like the Thunder, Rockets, and Spurs have treasure troves of assets to trade. To make matters worse, the Knicks are in the Bucks’ conference, which could add even more resistance to the idea.
With that said, Giannis has tremendous equity built up in the organization and has the right to pick his destination. Milwaukee may choose to honor the man who delivered them their first title in 50 years. If so, New York does have multiple packages that work financially, while still giving the Bucks something to build on. Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart could all be part of a Giannis deal.
2. Moving One of Towns or Hart
Another way the Knicks could possibly improve is to trade either Towns or Hart for a player who fits their team better. Both guys have a deficiency in their games that proved costly for New York during the playoffs. For Towns, it’s his defense. For Hart, it’s his lack of shooting ability that allows defenses to guard him with their center and stick him in the paint. It seems unlikely that they trade KAT for anyone not named Giannis Antetokounmpo, but pairing Towns with Jalen Brunson as defensive liabilities is cause for concern. As for Hart, it’d also be surprising given his relationship with Brunson and Bridges, and he’s a fan favorite at MSG. However, if the right deal becomes available, Leon Rose has shown a willingness to shock the world. Durant could be targeted if the Knicks don’t get Giannis, especially since he’d come at a lower price.
3. Adding Depth
With Giannis likely headed elsewhere and trading a core guy seeming somewhat far-fetched, the most likely outcome for this offseason is that the Knicks simply add depth. They played with a seven-man rotation for most of the season and the playoff run. While this was partly due to the stubbornness of Thibodeau, New York also needs to add a quality player or two to its rotation. The Pacers and Thunder have proven the importance of having a squad that goes at least nine players deep. NY’s number one priority should be upgrading the Cameron Payne/Landry Shamet/Delon Wright/Precious Achiuwa spots. Given New York’s limited cap flexibility, they’ll also need internal development from young players like Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, and Ariel Hukporti.
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