While the Knicks advanced past the second round for the first time in 20 years, the franchise’s NBA Finals drought will last another year after being eliminated by the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
New York used the 2024 offseason to go all-in on assembling a roster capable of eliminating the defending-champion Celtics, a feat they accomplished with a thrilling victory in the Eastern Conference semifinals. With the franchise’s sights set on bigger goals, the Knicks could have another transformative offseason in 2025.
What can New York do? The franchise will inevitably be linked to any available superstar as it looks to build around the All-Star duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. But given the state of the Eastern Conference, a swing of that magnitude may not be necessary.
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Here’s more on the Knicks’ offseason and an outlook on what to expect.
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What’s next for the Knicks?
New York’s core four of Brunson, Towns, O.G. Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges appears to be set, with Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson each carrying important roles as the fifth and sixth “starters.”
Miles McBride has rounded out the Knicks’ set rotation, but from there, more questions arise than answers.
The above seven players account for roughly $195.1 million in salary, which is over $40 million north of the projected cap. New York’s financial obligations mean the franchise must get creative or part ways with salary to make meaningful roster improvements.
Conversely, the high salaries could be used to aggregate in a deal that nets a star in return. New York would simply have to overcome its lack of draft assets to make a move.
As recent history would indicate, no player is truly off limits, and no deal is out of the realm of possibility. Simply put, some of the members of New York’s seven-man rotation could be in a different home next year.
Aside from being a key destination as “the Mecca of Basketball,” the Knicks have stars who others want to play alongside. The difficult part will be navigating financial restrictions to build a team.
Given the uncertainty among the conference’s elite teams, perhaps New York just builds in the margins to contend in the East in 2025-26. Everything is on the table.
Knicks free agents
The majority of New York’s bench rotation will be free agents this offseason, though Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet held the biggest roles during the postseason. In addition to the four reserves, all three of New York’s players on two-way contracts will be unrestricted free agents.
- Precious Achiuwa (Unrestricted)
- Cameron Payne (Unrestricted)
- Delon Wright (Unrestricted)
- Landry Shamet (Unrestricted)
- MarJon Beauchamp (Restricted)
- Kevin McCullar (Restricted)
- Anton Watson (Restricted)
Knicks’ future draft picks, explained
After acquiring Bridges from Brooklyn, the Knicks lack draft capital in the coming years. This year, New York’s first-round pick is owed to the Nets, and the Knicks’ second-round pick was forfeited after an investigation into the signing of Jalen Brunson.
Knicks 2025-26 roster, contracts
New York will take at least 11 players into the 2025-26 season, with Towns’ $53.1 million salary leading the way. Veteran P.J. Tucker has a $3.5 million team option for the upcoming season, but it is unclear if the Knicks will pick it up.
| Player | Position | Salary | Age |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | C | $53,142,264 | 30 |
| O.G. Anunoby | F | $39,568,966 | 28 |
| Jalen Brunson | G | $34,944,001 | 29 |
| Mikal Bridges | F | $24,900,000 | 29 |
| Josh Hart | G | $19,472,240 | 30 |
| Mitchell Robinson | C | $12,954,546 | 27 |
| Miles McBride | G | $4,333,333 | 25 |
| P.J. Tucker | F | $3,468,960 (Team Option) | 40 |
| Pacome Dadiet | G | $2,847,600 | 20 |
| Tyler Kolek | G | $2,191,897 | 24 |
| Ariel Hukporti | C | $1,955,377 | 23 |
