With the 2024-25 NBA season right around the corner, there’s been plenty of speculation about who some of the new contenders to rise will be. And for the first time in probably 30 years, the New York Knicks are one of the teams in that conversation.
After a second-round elimination featuring several key injuries to the core, the team essentially overhauled the roster to go all-in for a championship pursuit. There’s only five players from the start of last year’s team that are still donning the orange and blue at the start of this year’s.
Without further ado, here’s the 2024-25 season preview for the New York Knicks.
Key Additions:
The Knicks offseason started with a blockbuster trade to acquire Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart’s championship-winning Villanova teammate, Mikal Bridges. The deal included Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first round picks and two pick swaps.
This move, coupled with the extensions of Brunson and OG Anunoby locks the Knicks into this core for at least the next 3 years. If Bridges can operate as a third option like he did in Phoenix, it can prove great things for the Knicks.
In the last move of the offseason, the Knicks shockingly sent Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota for all-star Center Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns changes the dynamic of the Knicks offense completely as a stretch five. The Knicks had some of the worst spacing in the league last year, and the addition of Towns allows Brunson to operate in an empty paint on offense.
Cam Payne was the source of terror for Knicks fans during the first round series against the 76ers. And now he’s stepping into a role as a full-time backup guard for Jalen Brunson. His versatility and reliability as a three point shooter will serve as a much-needed boost for the Knicks depleted bench unit.
While he wasn’t the Knicks’ first round draft pick, expectations seem high from the Knicks rookie from Marquette. A two-way guard that can playmake, shoot, and refrain from turning the ball over seems like a player right up Tom Thibodeau’s alley, and if given the proper playing time he can emerge as a pivotal rotation piece.
Key Losses:
F Julius Randle
The day Julius Randle was traded felt like an unexpected body blow. Randle was one of the only star-caliber players that decided to come play in the Garden when nobody else would, and for that I’ll always respect him. From the lottery to the second seed, Randle broke out as an all-star and all-NBA guy here. And I expect that to continue in Minnesota once he’s back from injury.
G Donte DiVincenzo
DiVincenzo made a quick impact for the Knicks last year as an absolute marksman. He set the single season team record for made three pointers last season. He also took over the offensive load late in the season while the core dealt with injuries. He’s going to bring a lot of value to the depth of Minnesota next season.
Perhaps the most underrated loss of the offseason was Isaiah Hartenstein. He made leaps and bounds to improve the teams defensive intensity, rebounding consistency, and post playmaking. He was a big part of the Knicks depth this season and now he’s taking that depth to Oklahoma City to untap the potential of their young core.
Season Outlook:
Potential Starting Lineup: PG Brunson SG Hart SF Bridges PF Anunoby C Towns
Bench Unit: Miles McBride, Payne, Landry Shamet, Precious Achiuwa, Mitchell Robinson (injured)
Reserves: Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, Jericho Sims, Ariel Hukporti (TW), Kevin McCullar Jr (TW), Jacob Toppin (TW)
Overall, this will likely be the best the league has seen the Knicks on paper since their championship pursuits in the 90’s. A star-studded starting lineup and veteran coaching untaps the potential of this squad tenfold. Of course, they still need to try and compete with the defending champion Boston Celtics, but I believe they’re in one of the best positions to do so in the East.
Projected Finish
Record: 54-28
Projected Finish: 2nd in the Eastern Conference
***
Follow Fantom Sports on X!
Subscribe to Fantom Sports on YouTube!
Want to join our team? Inquire about our openings.