The Knicks are NBA champions. That’s a sentence that hasn’t been written in 53 years, but the “maybe next year” squad got it done in 2026. While the franchise and its fans are delirious with celebratory bliss, the page will need to be turned quickly because there is work to be done this summer.
New York went on a historic run in the playoffs that included ripping off 13 straight victories en route to a 4–1 series win over the Spurs in the NBA Finals. Once the team got rolling, it was an unstoppable force. The balance on the roster was truly something to behold. While Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were the centerpieces, the two-way play of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges and the tough, scrappy defense and rebounding of Josh Hart complemented them beautifully. The good news for the Knicks is that all five players are under contract for next season, while Towns and Hart have options for the 2027–28 campaign as well. The core is intact for now.
