No one knows this for sure, as Knicks general manager Leon Rose has remained quiet, but the 2025 postseason could be an inflection point for New York. They’re in year five of the Tom Thibodeau era, year three of Jalen Brunson, and the first season of their newly assembled core. Although the last half-decade of Knicks basketball has been a wild success, and the new group is in its first attempt at a championship, Knicks fans are becoming impatient already. Fair or not, this team is expected to at least compete at the top of the NBA. Unfortunately, they have failed to do so all season. Rose could stand pat even if his squad loses badly in the first or second round, but bigger changes could also be coming.
Possible Changes if Knicks Flameout in the Playoffs
First, I want to establish what qualifies as a flameout. The Knicks are in their first year of their new group and are the East’s third seed, so it would be foolish to expect them to win the conference or NBA Finals. However, they need to be competitive against the league’s best to allow hope that this roster has a future. To me, a failure would be losing to Detroit or being annihilated by Boston in the second round. If NY can push Boston to six or seven tight games but loses, Knicks fans need to accept that fate. The Celtics are a historically great team, and anything beyond that would be icing on top of a successful season.
A Core Piece or Two Could Be Traded
As crazy as it sounds just one year after making three transformative trades to produce the roster we see now, one or two core players could be moved as soon as this summer. In my opinion, there’s only one guy who is safe: Jalen Brunson. I would also consider OG Anunoby safe because of how great he’s played and the Kawhi Leonard-esque potential he flashed at the end of the season. However, he may need to be used in a blockbuster trade, more on that later.
Towns/Hart
Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart could be moved because of their flaws costing New York a chance at true contention. Teams like Boston specialize at feasting on the opponent’s weakest link on both ends of the floor. For Towns, his inability to defend pick-and-rolls and protect the rim makes him too exploitable for a five-out squad like Boston. If the Knicks reach the second round, Boston will target KAT on every possession down the floor. If he’s unable to do at least a passable job, as he has in all four losses this year, the noise around trading him will only get louder. It may seem unfair, considering how great of a season he’s had. Regardless, the modern NBA simply doesn’t allow for devastating weaknesses.
Hart’s flaw is on the offensive side of the ball: shooting. He’s an incredibly streaky shooter who can have hot stretches such as last year’s playoffs or early in 2024-25. Unfortunately, when he’s off, he refuses to take the open looks, which is debilitating for an offense. Once again, Boston, Cleveland, and Oklahoma City will put their center on him and sit in the paint, playing five-on-four defense. There’s no way the Knicks can beat any of these teams if Hart isn’t shooting confidently and hitting from deep. Thibodeau should adjust during this playoff run and deploy Miles McBride in his minutes. Rose may have to consider trading the fan-favorite if he doesn’t step up as a shooter.
Bridges
Similarly to Anunoby, Mikal Bridges could be traded because he’s a great asset to include for a big trade. However, Bridges has somewhat disappointed in his first year as a Knick. It’s made worse, considering the expensive price NY paid to get him. He’s still been a good player in NY but the Knicks could use an excellent playoff run on both ends of the ball to secure his long-term spot in the Big Apple.
These Players Could Be Traded For Giannis/Jaren Jackson Jr.
If the Knicks blow up their core after just one year, it should be in a blockbuster deal for a superstar. Both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaren Jackson Jr. could be available, and the Knicks should pounce. Each guy provides an upgrade on Towns at the five and fits better with the roster. Any of Towns, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart, McBride, and Mitchell Robinson could be moved in a potential deal.
Tom Thibodeau At Risk?
The last possible casualty of a quick playoff exit could be the head coach himself. Tom Thibodeau has done a wonderful job changing the culture in New York. Even so, questions have been raised about his ability to lead a champion. His controversial minutes usage, stubborn rotations, and refusal to make adjustments are all concerns for NY going forward. If he’s out-coached by Joe Mazzulla on the way to a dominating loss, he could be on the hot seat.
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