Knicks Preview: Expectations Higher Than Ever After Additions Of Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges

October 13, 2024

Knicks Preview

A look at the New York Knicks entering the 2024-25 season …

Record: 50-32 (lost to the Pacers in the second round)
New Faces: Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Payne, Tyler Kolek, Kevin McCullar Jr., Landry Shamet
Subtractions: Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, DaQuan Jeffries, Charlie Brown Jr., Duane Washington, Isaiah Hartenstein, Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks, Shake Milton, Mamadi Diakite

Overview

The Knicks entered the offseason looking to build on their promising playoff run, but injuries and a barrage of Indiana jumpers left them short of the Eastern Conference Finals. So, what did they do? They opened up the checkbook. A treasure trove of first-round picks for Mikal Bridges, a jaw-dropping five years and $212.5 million for OG Anunoby, and another $156.5 million for Jalen Brunson — though that last one might just go down as the steal of the decade.

With these moves, New York set the stage for a roster that could compete with the best. Once Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson returned from their respective surgeries, the Knicks appeared ready to not only match last year’s playoff performance but exceed it. “You would’ve liked to have seen that one more time, fully healthy,” said swingman Josh Hart during media day.

But team president Leon Rose wasn’t done.

“You’re never content,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “You always want to try to improve. When opportunities present themselves, you want to take advantage of that.”

And take advantage they did. Out goes Randle, the heart and soul of the Knicks for the last five years, averaging nearly 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Also out is Donte DiVincenzo, who last season joined an elite club as one of only five players to hit over 250 threes while also snagging at least 2% of opponents’ offensive possessions — joining the likes of Stephen Curry and James Harden.

In comes Karl-Anthony Towns, a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, ready to reshape the Knicks’ offense.

Towns is on the verge of becoming just the fourth 7-footer to hit 1,000 career threes, and he’s fresh off a playoff run that saw him successfully guard Kevin Durant and Nikola Jokic.

With Brunson, who somehow managed to finish 12th in the NBA in points in the paint at just 6-foot-2, adding Towns’ outside shooting will create driving lanes for Brunson to exploit.

With Anunoby and Bridges — both elite wings shooting 41% and 39% on catch-and-shoot threes over the last four seasons — this starting five looks lethal. Sprinkle in Hart, who claims he can do “a little bit of everything,” and you’ve got an eight-man rotation that could rival the league’s best — especially if Brunson is unleashed.

“The most important thing is just: Where’s my mindset at?” Brunson said. “And I know where I’m at. And I like where I’m at.”

But let’s not kid ourselves — the key is staying healthy. Towns and Anunoby have combined to miss 213 games over the past four years, while Robinson has missed 81 games in the last two seasons and won’t be available for a couple of months.

Brunson, Hart, and Bridges are tough as nails, but these Knicks are flirting with the “This Sure Is A Lot of Jericho Sims and Cam Payne” territory for a title contender. The East is loaded this year, with heavyweights like the defending-champion Celtics, the Paul George-boosted 76ers, and the Giannis-and-Dame-led Bucks. And don’t forget the Pacers, who ended the Knicks’ playoff hopes last season.

“The East is definitely going to be tougher,” Hart said. “A lot of teams made big moves this offseason. It’s not going to be easy, but we’re extremely confident in what we have. Officially and unofficially.”

Best-case scenario: Thibodeau finds the right chemistry with his new roster, and Brunson emerges as an All-NBA First-Team player. Towns fits in perfectly, transforming New York into a high-octane offense that leads the league in points per possession. Bridges finds his shooting rhythm again, while Anunoby locks down defensively.

If Towns and Anunoby can stay on the court, and Robinson can return healthy, the Knicks could surpass 50 wins, make a deep playoff run, and challenge for the Eastern Conference crown.

Worst-case scenario: The best-laid plans can go awry. If chemistry becomes a problem and Towns struggles defensively in his new role, the Knicks might face a drop-off on that end. Robinson’s absence could expose weaknesses, and if injuries return for Towns and Anunoby, it could lay bare the Knicks’ lack of depth.

Thibodeau and Brunson might still grind out a playoff spot, but once again, the team could find itself running out of gas against a more well-rounded opponent.