This is where I get annoyed. The New York Knicks just made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, won 51 games – their best total in a decade – and fans are already screaming for trades? Look, I get it. Losing to the Pacers in six games stings, especially when you’re two wins from the NBA Finals. But the overreaction happening right now completely ignores what this team actually accomplished. I was sad about the season ending just like everyone else, but the stupidity and emotional demands of the fanbase following this loss it was is going to irk me for weeks to come. This is the same fanbase that were throwing tantrums when they signed Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks showed serious potential all season long, and yeah, those turnovers killed them against Indiana. 140 points off turnovers for the Pacers compared to just 61 for New York? That’s brutal, but it’s fixable. Everyone’s talking about trading Karl-Anthony Towns or chasing superstars like this team is broken. Are we forgetting the Knicks ranked fifth in offensive rating during the regular season? Their defense wasn’t too shabby either – eighth-best net rating in the league. This isn’t a team that needs to be torn apart. This is a team that needs some smart tweaks to keep climbing.
The Knicks Are Closer Than You Think
Four years ago, the New York Knicks were basically the NBA’s running joke. Today, they’re legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference. That journey from basketball purgatory to playoff relevance? It’s not luck – it’s smart organizational building. Tom Thibodeau changed everything when he arrived in 2020. Before him? Seven straight years of missing the playoffs. That kind of drought creates the most cynical fanbase you’ll ever see, and trust me, Knicks fans had every right to be bitter. The turnaround happened fast. Under Thibs, they’ve made the postseason in four of the past five years. That’s a complete culture flip.
The win totals tell the real story here. Before Jalen Brunson showed up, they were stuck at 37 wins. Then boom – 47 victories, followed by 50 wins last season. First 50-win season in over a decade, and honestly, it felt surreal watching it happen. This year’s 51 wins proved it wasn’t a fluke. Back-to-back 50-win seasons? Madison Square Garden hasn’t seen consistency like this since most of still wetting the bed. Leon Rose deserves massive credit for changing the franchise’s direction in 2020. The Brunson signing was genius – guy turned into a legitimate MVP candidate. Then they went all-in with the Towns, Bridges, Anunoby, and Hart moves. Now, the final pieces of the canvas need to be put together for this next four year championship window.
Media Will Try to Tear Them Apart
Oh, since the fake news sports media doesn’t have a story, they’ll make one. The second the Knicks lose, the hot takes start flying faster than Jalen Brunson’s first step. Social media explodes with trade scenarios and every talking head on ESPN has the perfect solution for New York’s “problems.” This predictable circus completely misses what the team actually built. Their playoff run showed serious grit. Beat Detroit, then shocked defending-champion Boston in six games. If you ask me, ESPN’s trade machine might be the worst thing that ever happened to NBA discourse. Fans get eliminated and immediately start cooking up fantasy trades that make zero sense in the real world. The Knicks lose to Indiana, and suddenly everyone’s a general manager. Within hours of the playoff exit, social media was flooded with trade machine screenshots. Karl-Anthony Towns for this player, package deals for that superstar – none of it grounded in reality. These virtual transactions ignore salary cap math, team chemistry, and basic common sense.
Here’s what kills me about the Towns situation specifically. The man had a solid first season with the Knicks, and media outlets immediately suggested trading him. His contract runs through 2027 with cap hits of $53 million next season and $57 million in 2026-27. You don’t just flip a player like that after one year. To be fair, Towns did struggle in the playoffs. His three-point shooting dipped to 35 percent, and those defensive issues against Indiana were real. Reports even surfaced about teammates getting frustrated with his defensive habits. That’s concerning, but it’s also fixable with proper coaching and buy-in.
The fantasy trade proposals get more ridiculous by the day:
- Trading for superstars despite having no draft capital
- Swapping Towns for Giannis Antetokounmpo (seriously?)
- Packaging multiple starters for aging veterans like Kevin Durant
Why blowing it up is not the answer
I bet you forgot how patient this front office has been. Thibodeau’s response after elimination should tell you everything: “You look at your team, and analyze what the strengths and weaknesses of the team are. We’re not just going to do something to do something”. The Knicks finished third in the Eastern Conference and made the conference finals for the first time since 2000. This represents genuine progress from consecutive second-round exits. Why would you blow that up because of one disappointing series? History should scare Knicks fans away from dramatic moves. Remember trading what became Jamal Murray’s draft pick in the Carmelo Anthony deal? Or giving updraft capital for Andrea Bargnani? The franchise spent decades making impulsive decisions that set them back years. The internal belief matters way more than external noise.
Look, I’m not saying the team is perfect. The bench needs work. Defensive inconsistencies require attention. Finding the right fifth starter alongside Brunson, Towns, Bridges and Anunoby presents a challenge. But these are tweaks, not overhauls. The media pushes for spectacular moves because it generates clicks, but it creates impossible expectations where anything short of a title feels like failure. The smart play is staying patient while everyone else panics.
Josh Hart to the bench: a better fit
Sometimes the most impactful roster changes don’t involve trades or free agency splashes. The Knicks witnessed this firsthand when Josh Hart voluntarily moved to the bench for Game 3 against Indiana, resulting in a game-best +21 in just 16 minutes. “It doesn’t matter how many points you score or if you start,” Hart explained with characteristic selflessness. “It depends on if you win.” This wasn’t just a selfless act – it created better lineup balance and allowed Mitchell Robinson to start alongside Towns. That is exactly the upper advantage the Knicks have if both Robinson and Hart were bench players. They both have the skillset and experience to start on any given night if needed, but will be monsters coming off the bench.
What makes Hart particularly valuable off the bench is his offensive skillset that’s tailor-made for a second unit. He comes downhill with controlled aggression that most bench players simply can’t match, transforming his legendary motor into something even more devastating when he’s the primary ball-handler against reserves. Combine this with his elite rebounding (9.6 per game, outrebounding stars like Evan Mobley and Jayson Tatum) and you get a player who can grab boards and immediately push pace before defenses set. This creates matchup chaos – bullying smaller guards one possession, blowing by bigger defenders the next – giving Thibs a dynamic weapon that can lead a run-and-gun second unit capable of changing games when the starters rest.
Starting shooting guard: Deuce or trade?
The Knicks might be overthinking this whole shooting guard situation when Miles “Deuce” McBride is staring them right in the face as a potential answer. Deuce has already shown he can fill that Donte DiVincenzo-type role – a scoring/defensive utility guard who isn’t a traditional point but brings exactly what this team needs. The numbers don’t lie: McBride shot an efficient 41.0% from deep last season, showing the kind of outside threat that creates space for Brunson to operate. What impressed me most though was how he responded when injuries decimated the roster. Instead of shrinking in those moments, Deuce has always stepped up with that rare combination of defensive intensity and offensive confidence that championship teams absolutely need from their role players.
The statistical case for McBride is beyond compelling at this point. He posted the team’s best net rating at plus-20.6 in the Indiana series – and trust me, those aren’t fluky numbers in a playoff atmosphere where every possession matters. His defensive tenacity perfectly complements Brunson’s offensive firepower, creating the kind of backcourt balance the Knicks desperately need. With Hart seemingly ready for that permanent bench role (“I’ve played every role in this league,” Hart noted earlier this season), the Knicks might already have their perfect starting lineup staring them in the face. Why go searching for external solutions when the internal one has already proven himself in the playoff pressure cooker? Deuce’s growth trajectory suggests his ceiling is nowhere in sight yet.
Backup PG: internal or external solution?
The backup point guard situation needs fixing yesterday. Cameron Payne struggled mightily in relief of Brunson during crucial playoff moments, and that glaring weakness became impossible to ignore in the Eastern Conference Finals. When your starting point guard sits, the offense simply can’t crumble the way it did. That stark dropoff highlights perhaps the biggest hole in this roster construction. Thibs had to roll with Delon Wright, who provided quality defensive minutes but clearly isn’t the answer for a team with championship aspirations. The Knicks’ offense needs consistent orchestration whether Brunson is on the floor or not. Internal solutions exist with Tyler Kolek representing an intriguing option. The rookie didn’t get nearly enough opportunities this season, but his college playmaking abilities suggest potential with proper development time.
If the Knicks look externally, several veteran options could immediately stabilize the second unit. Dennis Schroder brings playoff experience and scoring punch, Tyus Jones offers elite assist-to-turnover efficiency, Chris Paul still provides leadership and basketball IQ, and Kyle Lowry brings that championship DNA and defensive grit. Any of these veterans would represent a significant upgrade over what the Knicks had in the playoffs. These targeted adjustments address specific weaknesses without disrupting the team’s established chemistry – sometimes the best changes are the ones that feel obvious once you make them. The bench unit remains the New York Knicks‘ most glaring weakness. While the starting five delivered strong performances throughout the season, reserve production lagged significantly behind. Here’s the harsh reality: the Knicks ranked dead last in bench points per game across the entire NBA. That’s not a typo. Dead last. When your starters are cooking but your bench can’t keep up, you’re asking for trouble in the playoffs. That’s not going to cut it.
Free agent targets to boost depth
Outside the back-up Point Guard position, to boost the bench the Knicks can review these possible affordable options for next season:
- Doug McDermott: Shot an impressive 43.6% from three-point range last season, providing the floor spacing the Knicks need
- Kelly Oubre Jr.: Athletic wing who averaged 15.4 PPG with Charlotte while showing improved defensive commitment
- Joe Ingles: Veteran playmaker who brings basketball IQ, secondary creation, and reliable three-point shooting (40.0% career from deep)
- Bobby Portis: High-energy big who contributed 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds last season while shooting 38.6% from three
The Knicks face financial constraints with $200 million already committed in salary. They must prioritize affordable depth over big-name acquisitions, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. These targeted additions would address specific weaknesses without disrupting the team’s established chemistry and identity.
The NBA’s Tax Problem is Real
Here’s where things get interesting for the Knicks. While everyone’s talking about what they should trade away to stay under the 1st and 2nd apron, the real story is what they can actually add. Other contenders are drowning in luxury tax bills, and New York finds itself with something rare in today’s NBA – actual flexibility. The league’s new collective bargaining agreement turned the luxury tax into a real nightmare for big spenders. Boston’s looking at a payroll that could hit $500 million with taxes. That’s not a typo – half a billion dollars. Minnesota’s facing over $90 million in penalties alone, and Phoenix leads everyone with a brutal $152 million tax bill. The Lakers are paying $53 million in penalties for a team that’s not even that good. That’s the cost of poor roster construction catching up to you. Teams in the repeater tax? The Bucks pay $4.25 for every dollar over the threshold. A minimum contract costs them eight figures when you factor in taxes. But here’s the kicker – teams over the second apron can’t do much of anything. No signing free agents above minimum deals, no midlevel exceptions, no trade exceptions. They’re essentially frozen.
REPORT: Tom Thibodeau is safe in New York.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 1, 2025
“The coach has the backing of team president Leon Rose, league sources said, as well as full buy-in from Brunson, who signed with the Knicks in 2022 in part because he wanted to play for Thibodeau. But ultimately, owner James Dolan is… pic.twitter.com/qTdqe6Gqjp
KAT had the highest +/- among all Knicks starters this postseason.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) June 1, 2025
KAT was also the only Knicks starter to post a positive +/- in the ECF vs. Indiana. https://t.co/9DPQXhIBDY
New York’s Sweet Spot
The Knicks sit nearly $8 million below that second apron line. Smart positioning by Leon Rose and the front office. They can still use their taxpayer midlevel exception worth around $5.2-5.7 million, which sounds small but goes a long way for the right role player. Their payroll hits $200 million across nine guaranteed contracts. That’s a lot of money, but it’s structured in a way that avoids the harshest penalties crushing other teams. Assets-wise, they’re not completely tapped out despite those big trades. Precious Achiuwa’s $6 million expiring deal could be useful. Plus they’ve got Washington’s protected 2025 first-rounder and a potential 2030 pick swap in their back pocket.
This is the perfect time to be opportunistic while other teams are scrambling. Look around the league – so many franchises are desperate to reset their tax clock after years of massive spending. Three teams are already projected to be over that second apron for 2025-26, and they’ll all be making painful cuts to avoid those devastating repeater penalties. Instead of chasing the splashy names like everyone expects New York to do, the Knicks should target quality depth from desperate teams that can’t afford their own players. Boston might have to dump useful rotation pieces just to create breathing room under that $207.8 million second apron threshold. Other contenders are going to make tough choices about who they can actually keep. The Knicks have something most teams don’t right now – flexibility with that $8 million buffer. They can make targeted moves without blowing up what they’ve built. As everyone else gets handcuffed by these new cap restrictions, New York’s strategic positioning becomes more valuable by the day.
Fine Tune at the Margins
Here’s the thing about the Knicks right now – they’re standing at a crossroads, but it’s not the kind that requires blowing everything up. This 51-win season wasn’t a disappointment, it was progress. Real progress. They are so close, smart adjustments will beat dramatic overhauls every single time. Yeah, the bench needs help. The backup point guard situation needs stability. But small tweaks often work better than those blockbuster trades everyone’s fantasizing about on social media. The Knicks have something most teams don’t right now – financial flexibility. While others are staring at $500 million payrolls and drowning in tax bills, New York can actually make moves. That’s not luck, that’s smart planning. All these fans rushing to ESPN’s trade machine are missing what actually happened here. This roster reached heights we hadn’t seen at Madison Square Garden in decades. You don’t tear that down after losing an Eastern Conference Finals.
Karl-Anthony Towns deserves more than one season next to Brunson. Their partnership showed real potential all year long. Breaking that up now would be the kind of impatient move that kept the Knicks in basketball hell for so long. Tom Thibodeau turned this franchise around. Consecutive 50-win seasons don’t just happen – they’re built through culture and consistency. Championship windows don’t open through constant roster turnover. The Knicks finally have something special worth protecting. The path ahead is clear, even if it’s not as exciting as the trade machine scenarios. Strengthen the bench, fix the backup point guard spot, and trust what they’ve built. This team doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel – it just needs final polishing for a serious championship contending window.
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