New York Knicks: 2024/25 NBA season preview

Last season, the New York Knicks were looked at as a good team that would contend if everything fell into place perfectly and for a while, it looked like it was going to happen. You had the Boston Celtics way out in front of everyone in the Eastern Conference, but behind them were a cluster of contenders that could all get hot and challenge. The 2022-2023 Knicks had a few things going for them that other teams didn’t……chemistry. With a core that includes All-Star Point Guard Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, the Knicks trio was dubbed the ‘Nova Knicks’ due to all three starring at Villanova University together. The Knicks, like a few of the contenders, had to deal with some unfortunate injuries to a few star players such as Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and the newly acquired multi-talented player OG Anunoby (from Toronto), but because of the strong chemistry within the team and Tom Thibodeux’s relentless attention to defense as his strength as a top coach in the NBA, the Knicks were a game (and and a few key injuries) away from making the Eastern Conference Finals to face their rivals from Boston.

Nova Knicks 2.0

With the core of the three ‘Nova Knicks’ already in place, the Knicks organization went and traded for perhaps the biggest missing piece that they needed to secure their status as a serious contender, Mikal Bridges. Bridges was acquired in a mega deal from the Knicks’ neighborhood rival from across the East River, the Brooklyn Nets, that involved multiple players and draft picks. Along with having 3 former Villanova stars, they now add a fourth with Bridges which will only add more magic to the already lethal chemistry that the team has but more importantly Bridges will bring two big things that Coach Thibodeux loves: durability and defense. Bridges is the NBA’s current ‘Iron Man’ with his current streak of consecutive games played at 392. Bridges has the ability to lock down an opponent’s wing/guards with his impressive defense. Bridges has previously been runner-up in 2022 for Defensive Player of the Year and has made the NBA All Defense team in 2022.

Adding Bridges to a lineup that already is defensive minded will be a huge plus for the Knicks. With all world wings such as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown from the Celtics, Jimmy Butler with the Miami Heat among others, the Knicks can keep pace with the other Eastern Conference powers. Hart, is an undersized (he is listed at 6’4) wing but rebounds and defends like a much bigger player. He was routinely asked to defend the other teams best perimeter player along with helping the Knicks bigs on the boards. While he was a serviceable shooter, those duties ofter fell to the third member of the ‘Nova Knicks’…Donte DiVincenzo. DiVincenzo was brought over to the Knicks from the Golden State Warriors for his outside shooting and ended the season shooting at an unbelievable 40 percent from the three point line. These three guys (along with Brunson) look to be among the best guard/wing rotation in the league.

Frontcourt issues

While the Knicks guard and wing play looks to be their strength heading into new season, they will have some question marks in the frontcourt. Is Julius Randle going to be effective with the ‘new’ look Knicks? Will they have a suitable replacement for Isiah Hartenstein who left in free agency? Can Mitchell Robinson stay healthy? Because of injuries and available players, the Knicks had to play a bit of small ball towards the end of the year and into the playoffs which cost them a few victories. Having a player as talented as OG Anunoby return from injury will give the Knicks frontcourt rotation a boost that is needed. Before Julius Randle was lost for the season with an injury, he was having a great year for the Knicks and was setting up for a strong postseason matchups with the other star big men such as the Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. Robinson’s return will also help anchor the middle for the Knicks. Robinson doesn’t provide much on the offense end, but more than makes up for it on the defensive end with his amazing shot blocking ability. 

Mr. New York

Ultimately, the Knicks fortunes will land with if Jalen Brunson can deliver another MVP-like season in Gotham. There hasn’t been one figure in the NYC sports landscape that has been as loved as Brunson since arguably Number 2 for the New York Yankees, Deter Jeter. Brunson embodies the soul and personality of the NYC fan landscape and has become one of the biggest stars in the NBA today. Listed at 6’1, Brunson has the ability to get to any spot on the floor (including in the paint) that he wants and delivers. Brunson often had to take over games for the Knicks late to seal wins and will be interesting to see if he has to continue to do so with new players and players returning to the lineup from injury. One of the issues last season was the lack of a quality backup point guard to relieve Brunson so he was forced to play big minutes for the Knicks which they will try to avoid this year to preserve Brunson for a (hopefully) deep playoff run. 

Overall Outlook

After last season’s breakout year for Brunson and Company, the bright spotlight will be directly on the boys on Broadway. Will the addition of a player like Mikal Bridges to this group, the Knicks will be a popular pick to not only improve on last year’s wildly successful season but to also contender for an NBA Title if everyone can stay healthy and continue the awesome chemistry that the Knicks carried into the playoffs last year. Questions for the Knicks include: team depth, players having to fill in unfamiliar roles, and staying healthy late in the year. Look for the Knicks to be at the top of the standing all year with an eye toward making the NBA Finals.