The Knicks kept almost everyone who mattered during their championship run. Whether “almost” is enough to win another one is the question.
In its 2026-27 Knicks preview, ESPN noted that nine of New York’s top 10 playoff rotation members are returning. The exception is Mitchell Robinson, who joined the rival Celtics after owner James Dolan refused to cross the second apron.
Andre Drummond replaces Robinson behind Karl-Anthony Towns. Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet and Mohamed Diawara all remained, giving New York continuity and several below-market contracts.
ESPN assigned the Knicks a B-minus offseason grade and placed them third in its Basketball Power Index.
That sounds like a championship contender. It does not guarantee another championship.
Health was identified as New York’s biggest X-factor after all five starters appeared in at least 66 regular-season games and combined to fill 98 percent of the team’s playoff starting spots. Towns played 75 games, his most since 2018-19. Robinson’s departure makes any extended absence at center more difficult to absorb.
There is also reason to anticipate some shooting regression. Opponents made an NBA-low 31 percent of their threes against the Knicks during the playoffs, despite shot-quality data suggesting they should have converted approximately 36 percent.
Towns’ future adds another complication. He is eligible for a four-year, $272 million extension and holds a $61 million option for 2027-28.
The Knicks remain loaded, experienced and unusually connected. They also enter the season with a smaller margin for error than the words “defending champions” might suggest.
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