Except for his rookie year, Jalen Brunson has consistently made over 40% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers. However, the 2024-25 season saw a notable change, with fewer than half of his three-point attempts coming from catch-and-shoot situations – a career first. Despite the additions of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks, which slightly reduced Brunson`s usage rate and shot attempts, his ball-dominant style persisted. He led the league for the second straight season in average seconds per touch (6.06) and dribbles per touch (6.04), both figures actually increasing from the prior year.
New Knicks coach Mike Brown intends to involve Jalen Brunson off-ball more frequently, aiming to generate additional spot-up three-point opportunities. Brown stated to reporters, “The ball will be in his hands, especially down the stretch, and so to make the game easier throughout the course of the game is going to be a big thing.” Brown also advocates for a faster pace, quick decisions, and playing based on dynamic concepts over fixed plays. While these intentions are sound, it`s worth remembering that New York, despite a slow and sometimes stagnant offense under Tom Thibodeau last season, still competed until late May, establishing a challenging standard to surpass.
Team Overview
Last Season`s Performance
The Knicks finished the season 51-31, marking their best performance since 2013. Jalen Brunson was named to the All-NBA Second Team, Karl-Anthony Towns to the Third Team, and both started in the All-Star Game. Post-All-Star break, the team`s offense notably faltered, though only partially due to Brunson`s month-long ankle injury. Despite appearing outmatched by elite regular-season opponents, they overcame a tough first-round series against the Pistons and then upset the Celtics in the second round, reaching the conference finals for the first time in a quarter-century. This deep playoff run, however, did not secure Tom Thibodeau`s position; he was fired after the Knicks lost to the Pacers in six games, despite having overseen the franchise`s significant turnaround.
Offseason Moves
During the offseason, the Knicks, after being denied permission to interview various candidates, appointed Mike Brown as head coach and Chris Jent as his lead assistant. Early free agency saw the acquisition of Guerschon Yabusele on a two-year, $11.3 million contract via the taxpayer midlevel exception. Jordan Clarkson also joined on a one-year minimum deal after a buyout from the Jazz. Closer to training camp, Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon were re-signed, both on minimum contracts.
Projected Wins (Vegas): 53.5
Team Prospects: Believer vs. Skeptic
This is the Knicks` year, as echoed by Spike Lee. The team boasts significantly improved depth. The acquisition of Guerschon Yabusele is particularly crucial, as he provides the ideal power forward who can stretch the floor, exploit mismatches in the post, and defend centers when required. Malcolm Brogdon`s signing is also underrated; his 2023 Sixth Man of the Year award is often overlooked because he`s been on struggling teams since. Key players like Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart will benefit from reduced minutes, preserving their energy throughout the grueling regular season. While not the Eastern Conference betting favorite, the team possesses comparable firepower and demonstrable toughness against rivals like Cleveland.
Spike Lee made similar predictions last year. Furthermore, one should consider the historical performance of teams post-Tom Thibodeau. He revitalized this franchise upon his arrival, transformed Jalen Brunson into a superstar, and led the Knicks to the conference finals. It would be wise to hope the team isn`t unduly penalized for his dismissal. Should the season suffer from injuries or controversy, the `Thibs Curse` might prove real. You`d be fortunate to even find out if your optimism about the Cleveland matchup is misplaced.
I dismiss the notion of curses. My belief rests firmly in the talent of Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anunoby, Bridges, and the entire rotation. I anticipate a significantly more cohesive and balanced team this season. We`ll see greater offensive involvement from the wing players, and Karl-Anthony Towns will initiate more plays. Mitchell Robinson is projected to play substantially more than his 290 regular-season minutes, and his defensive presence alone will resolve many systemic issues.
Regarding that: Will Mitchell Robinson start? Coach Brown has expressed a desire for the Knicks to be defensively imposing, yet also to play with greater pace and floor spacing. The coaching staff`s approach to the frontcourt rotation remains a significant unknown, highlighting inherent challenges no coaching staff can fully circumvent: the team`s optimal defensive lineups will likely feature Robinson at center, while their best offensive units will have Towns at center. Opponents will invariably target Brunson and Towns, and positioning Towns at power forward could diminish his unique offensive impact.
I`ve heard these same doubts before, and last year the Knicks still reached the conference finals. Karl-Anthony Towns also made the Western Conference finals the prior year playing extensively at power forward. Perhaps they`ll utilize a double-big lineup, or Josh Hart could start again. I wouldn`t object to Guerschon Yabusele or even Deuce McBride starting. In modern basketball, lineup versatility and depth are paramount; relying on the same five-man unit for excessive minutes is a concern. Brown`s willingness to experiment throughout the season will be a refreshing change. A strong preseason from Tyler Kolek, for instance, could even earn him a rotation spot!
We shall see about all of that. It`s worth noting that Brown frustrated Kings fans last year by underutilizing Keon Ellis; indeed, Sacramento`s starters formed the league`s sixth-most-used lineup before his dismissal. While many aspects of the post-Thibodeau era might initially seem refreshing, without genuine, sustained improvement, one might soon long for his distinctive voice, intensity, and even his stubbornness. I am particularly curious whether Brown will consistently commit to getting Brunson off the ball more. Theoretically, I appreciate the concept, and I always liked Thibodeau`s use of Brunson as a screener. However, the practical issue was that other players lacked sufficient playmaking to warrant regularly taking the ball out of Brunson`s hands. While the additions of Brogdon and Jordan Clarkson might alter this, I remain unconvinced, especially given Brogdon`s recent injury history and questionable availability. New York boasted the league`s fifth-best offense last season. If Brown aims to make the Knicks faster and less predictable, he risks making them more susceptible to turnovers, less organized, and ultimately, less efficient.
