As the New York Knicks raised the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after beating the mighty San Antonio Spurs in just five games, it was quite clear their formula worked.
Going after prime players, both stars and good two-way starters, was worth the relinquished package of picks and assets, erasing a 53-year title drought and making every single part of the cost utterly worth it.
Jalen Brunson is now a Finals MVP. Karl-Anthony Towns a champion. OG Anunoby a champion again. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, college teammates along with Brunson, got to celebrate with each other after crucial contributions.
Head coach Mike Brown, who leaned into depth and made excellent on-the-fly adjustments — turning Towns into more of a passer in the middle of the postseason, keeping his cool throughout the entire Finals, especially when the Knicks found themselves in a hole — became their emotional anchor.
It all just worked.
Now the Knicks head into the summer hoping to ready themselves for another push toward the Finals next season.
So let’s get into it.
2025-26 finish
Record: 53-29, third in the Eastern Conference. Won the NBA Finals over the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
Highlight of the season
Well … there was this late vNovember game against the … OH WHO CARES? The highlight is the trophy. The championship. The parade. It’s fulfilled the thirst of Knicks fans who have waited for over half a century. Nothing will beat that moment for a long, long time if you’re a Knicks fan.
Players signed for next season
Karl-Anthony Towns
OG Anunoby
Jalen Brunson
Mikal Bridges
Josh Hart
Miles McBride
Pacôme Dadiet
Tyler Kolek
Key free agents
Mitchell Robinson (UFA)
Landry Shamet (UFA)
Jose Alvarado (Player option)
Projected salary
$200,960,628
Draft picks
Nos. 24, 31 and 55
Draft focus: If the team loses Robinson and Shamet in free agency, it’s crucial both roles get filled somehow. The draft could prove beneficial in that respect.
The Knicks don’t have a ton to work with, as they’ve become quite expensive. For an organization that famous — and now successful — it will likely print money in the foreseeable future. It should obviously go all-in and not worry about cost. Is that realistic? Probably not. But that should be its motivation and ultimate path.
Needs and goals
There’s a need for improved depth, but that goes without saying when the vast majority of the Knicks’ salary gos to the five starters. In terms of their goal, it couldn’t be simpler: repeat.
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