The New York Knicks are considered unlikely to make a head coaching change this offseason and appear to be prioritizing ways they can improve their roster. Tom Thibodeau continues to enjoy the support of Jalen Brunson and the front office following their appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Knicks could use the transaction cycle to improve their depth, but ESPN’s Shams Charania suggests they could also pursue a “landmark” player. While Charania didn’t specify any players, the Knicks have previously been tied to both Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“I’m told the Knicks have internal meetings this week to evaluate everything from the roster, different changes they could make around everything, but especially the roster,” said Charania on Sports Center on Monday. “If the last year and a half is any indication, Knicks president Leon Rose has gone out and gotten OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns.
“I expect him to be just as aggressive this offseason. Whether it’s a landmark player that you could bring in there or definitely depth on that bench. Tom Thibodeau called it a very important offseason coming up, and this is a team that has won 50-plus games in consecutive seasons for the first time since the early nineties. Four of his five seasons as head coach, they’ve made it to the playoffs, so it’s been a successful run. Jalen Brunson [is] fully supportive. That front office is fully supportive of Tom Thibodeau as well. But I do expect them to be very active and aggressive on the roster.”
The Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000 and were two wins away from the Finals as they lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games. The Knicks believe they can sustain championship contention longer than their rivals because Brunson’s discounted 2024 extension provides financial flexibility while other teams face costly second apron restrictions.