RSS Knicks Team Notes

[New York Knicks]

2025-26 Player Preview: Karl-Anthony Towns

How far the Knicks go in 2026 will ultimately come down to Karl-Anthony Towns.

That statement may seem hyperbolic, and I get that. But Jalen Brunson, who has become one of the most sure things in the league, is already elite and relied on heavily. OG Anunoby is an amazing two-way player, but he probably isn’t going to get too much better. And the rest of the supporting cast of Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, Deuce McBride, Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele, and co. aren’t the kind of needle-mover Towns can be.

Towns, on the other hand, is a superstar talent whose defense has always left people wanting more, but he possesses the offensive ceiling to put any contender over the top. Now, that defense will likely not improve much, if at all. The potential addition of Robinson to the starting lineup should lessen his responsibility as the rim protector and the safety of the defense, but we can expect his individual defense to be about the same. But as far as the offense goes, Towns and, more importantly, incoming head coach Mike Brown, can do something special.

Pairing Brunson, an isolation scoring machine, who can go bucket for bucket with anyone in the league, with a stretch big like Towns should have yielded much better offensive results last year. But Tom Thibodeau, as he often has throughout his career, took too long to make adjustments. With Hart in the starting lineup, it greatly stunted Towns’ ability to stretch the defense with his shooting, which in turn also made things more difficult for Brunson, and to a lesser degree, Anunoby and Bridges. But it wasn’t just the starting lineup. As the season went on, the team reverted to playing more and more isolation basketball with less movement, less passing, and less spacing- all things that hindered the Knicks’ two best players.

With a much more offensive-minded coach in Brown, New York will inevitably look to play a brand of basketball centered around pushing the pace, moving the ball around more, and spacing the floor. If Brown can do that, then Towns’ defensive shortcomings should not matter as much. Sure, it’ll still be infuriating to watch. He’ll still leave shooters open, execute closeouts poorly, fail to hedge screens, be late on rotations, and he definitely will still commit head-scratching fouls that will have you questioning both what he is doing and why you continue to expect anything different.

But if the Knicks could manage to rank ninth in scoring with 115.8 PPG last season, despite spending much of the second half of the season handicapped with suboptimal lineups, then we should expect this team, which happened to add offensive firepower in the offseason, to be in the top three in scoring, and average closer to, or even more than, 120 PPG. And Towns will be just as integral to that as anybody else on the roster, including Brunson.

If you look back at Brown’s offensive schemes and sets in Sacramento, which ranked first in points per game and offensive rating in the 2022-23 season with a less talented roster than the Knicks currently have, a lot of it was predicated on utilizing Domantas Sabonis. In Towns, Brown does have a more talented big man, but it won’t be as easy as plug and play. While Towns is a better shooter and overall scorer than Sabonis, the latter does a few things better.

"The Knicks could run more pace & space, spread-5 offense under Mike Brown… with Brunson off-ball, KAT in DHO actions, and Bridges thriving. Don’t be surprised if the offense pushes 120 ORTG .”

– ESPN's Mark Jones on what the Knicks new offense could look like. pic.twitter.com/eKn2XkSBhf

— Knicks Fan TV (@KnicksFanTv) August 19, 2025

The obvious one is passing. Knicks fans saw last season that Towns has a knack for flair. On many nights, Towns fired no-look passes, behind-the-back passes, and even spinning passes. And they were all very entertaining to watch for one reason or another. But Sabonis is simply a better passer. Whatever passes Towns can make, Sabonis can make more consistently and more accurately. He can also make many passes that Towns can’t. And this isn’t even just about the physical act of passing. Sabonis possesses the ability to read the game at a much higher and quicker level than Towns can. The Kings’ big man clearly sees the game differently, and the only big man that is better than Sabonis at passing and reading the game happens to be Nikola Jokic, who remains the consensus best player in the world. Meanwhile, we routinely saw Towns struggle with late double teams, which often led to turnovers in the form of bad passes or offensive fouls.

Another thing Towns does worse than Sabonis is setting screens. Towns isn’t a bad screener by any means. But he isn’t the kind of screener that guys like Jokic, Sabonis, and former Knick, Isaiah Hartenstein are. Towns gets lazy with his screens at times and occasionally fails to set screens with the necessary angle or physicality.

The good news for Towns and the Knicks, though, is that they don’t need him to be Sabonis. And they don’t necessarily need Towns to reach Sabonis’ level on those things. Would it be nice if he did? Yes. But given Towns’ super shooting, incredible post, and mid-range game, he really just needs to make slight improvements and adjustments in those areas to turn what was a solid offense last year, into an elite one.

The Kings under Mike Brown loved to get the ball to the second side while flashing Sabonis to the elbow.

Sabonis can catch and the Kings can run split actions/cuts off him or the handler can keep and run two man with Sabonis.

This flow is perfect for KAT's skills. pic.twitter.com/FUTarn70Je

— DJ Zullo (@DJAceNBA) July 10, 2025

Towns being able to set better, and harder screens would allow for Brunson, Anunoby, Bridges, and Hart to create more space. And that, along with a slight improvement in reading defenses, and making quicker decisions, would also allow him to be a secondary, and at times, a primary offensive hub out of the elbow. Much like Brown did with Sabonis, the Knicks can run a lot more offenses through Towns, without delegating him to just a screen and pop or screen and roll option- something Thibodeau eventually relied on too much. Do that, and we could be in for a career-season for Towns- one in which he could even surpass his career-high of 26.5PPG, which he set in the 2019-2020 season.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/73293/2025-26-player-preview-karl-anthony-towns

 

[New York Knicks]

2025-26 Player Preview: Jalen Brunson

When writing these annual player predictions, part of the fun lies in the unknown. How will a player perform in a new role? Will they exceed expectations with a new coach? Can they improve and make the leap we’ve all expected? It’s these questions that bring out the fan in all of us and allow us to wonder about things we cannot possibly know with full certainty until the season starts. However, with Jalen Brunson, the last couple of years of writing his player predictions have become less enjoyable.

That’s not a knock on the Knicks’ captain. In fact, it’s a compliment of the highest order- one that has been reserved for the best of the best in the league. Suppose you look back at the last few years. In that case, only guys like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum have reached levels of such consistency that predicting their seasons has become almost mundane.

Sure, last year, we all headed into the season wondering what kind of wonderful things the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns would do for Brunson. And in years prior, we pondered what another year of being THE guy would do for his game. But since Brunson’s first year in New York, we, and not just Knicks fans, but the basketball world in general, have come to expect greatness, and nothing less of him.

There are still conversations to be had about what kind of stats he’ll put up, and about the minor improvements he can still make. Will his production take a slight dip with Mike Brown’s potential emphasis on ball movement? Does his three-point percentage see some positive regression as he gets to play off-ball more and utilize the elite catch-and-shoot skills he showcased when playing next to Julius Randle? Can he maintain the otherworldly efficiency he showcased at the end of games last year? But the questions more or less end there.

If I were to take a stab at resolving those questions, though, my answer would be a “yes” to all of them. I do think his numbers may take a slight hit as Brown looks to capitalize on ball movement and player movement. And that very well may lead to fewer points, albeit with better efficiency. I also think that if Brown can channel Towns’ passing ability a bit more than Tom Thibodeau did, then Brunson could have more open catch-and-shoot opportunities, something he saw much less of since Randle got hurt against Miami last year. And yes, while Brunson’s numbers in the clutch may go down, his mentality and confidence in those situations aren’t something that just goes away.

At the end of the day, as long as he is healthy, he’s going to be an All-Star. He’s going to be an All-NBA guard. He’s going to be an MVP candidate. And he’s going to be one of the best players in the league, leading one of the best teams in the league. Expect another 25 PPG+, 6 APG+ season in which he hovers around 40/50/80 splits from one of the most consistent and reliable players in the entire league.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/73335/2025-26-player-preview-jalen-brunson

 

[New York Knicks]

2025-26 Player Preview: Miles McBride

Miles McBride easily had one of the weirdest and most confusing seasons last season. Going into the 2024-25 campaign, McBride’s name shone through as a beacon of hope for fans. And for very good reason. After seeing the young guard flourish with more playing time after the OG Anunoby trade that saw both RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley depart, fans were excited to see the kinds of improvement the former West Virginia Mountaineer could showcase. And those hopes were only magnified with the Knicks’ offseason moves that left room for McBride’s potential move into the starting lineup. I mean, let’s remember, a lot of us had him as a potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate.

What we got instead was a season filled with inconsistent shooting, subpar finishing around the rim, and playmaking that had fans wanting more and wondering what happened during his offseason. He shot 36.9% from three despite shooting 41% from deep the season prior. His handle and passing weren’t bad per se as he did average 4.2 assists per 36 minutes, but they also weren’t great. And he finished the season with the eighth worst field goal percentage (47.4%) on shots within five feet from the rim among players who took more than 20 shots from that distance, while also finishing with the 11th worst field goal percentage (28.6%) on shots from 5-9 feet out. But “how was his season weird or confusing if he was just downright disappointing?” you may ask.

Despite his ups and downs, McBride remained a mainstay on many of the Knicks’ best lineups. In fact, he was on six of the team’s top seven lineups when sorted by net rating. And that pinpoints exactly why McBride remains valuable and a popular player. Even when McBride isn’t hitting shots, can’t finish at the rim, and or make plays for others, he does more good for the team than bad. And sometimes, that’s all that matters.

He is an elite defender who is still the Knicks’ best point of attack defender, and the one most equipped to handle the high screen and rolls that today’s game is filled with. And his shooting ability and willingness to let it fly ensure that defenses have to account for him much more than Josh Hart, which makes him a perfect fit for Jalen Brunson and the rest of the starting lineup.

Going into this season, fans are likely a bit more wary of expecting such significant leaps. They’re probably no longer expecting him to be in the running for any awards. They aren’t thinking that he’ll suddenly become a playmaker capable of creating shots for himself or for others on a consistent basis. And they won’t go into the season believing he is going to put up eye-popping stats. But fans can, and should, 100% still be excited about McBride and the undoubtedly positive impact he has on the team every second he is on the floor.

There are still questions surrounding how Mike Brown will utilize him. In fact, that may be one of the biggest talking points heading into training camp and the preseason. Brown stayed away from playing too many double big lineups in Sacramento, so Mitchell Robinson may start off on the bench. But we also saw Brown give Keon Ellis, another incredible defensive guard who always had a positive impact on the Kings, the short end of the stick last season.

If Brown does the smart thing, listens to what the data says, and plays McBride as much as possible, he will once again be a net positive on this team. And that is regardless of whether he starts or not, and regardless of how well he is shooting. Obviously, it’d be nice to see him make the kind of adjustments necessary to become more of an offensive threat in his fifth season.

If the 24-year-old (turns 25 on September 8th) can improve even marginally as a playmaker and become a more efficient finisher around the rim, it would do wonders for him and the team. Is that what I expect, though? Not necessarily. I think McBride plays a lot. I think he’ll have more chances to play with the starters regardless of whether he starts or not. I also think that we’ll see some positive regression from his three-point shooting. I expect some improvements in other parts of his game. And I expect him to be one of the team leaders in net rating again. But I do also think that there are limitations to just how good he can become.

I don’t think he ever becomes a great finisher. And I don’t think he ever turns into a consistently good playmaker. And sadly, he may be closer to reaching his full potential or ceiling that we may have initially thought, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing because he’s already an incredibly valuable and productive player on a very good team. I hope I’m proven wrong eventually. Shoot, I hope I’m proven wrong this season.

But just know that even if McBride doesn’t prove me wrong, or never reaches the heights we expected from him just 12 months ago, he will be productive and be an important part of this team for as long as he’s here. How long does that end up being, though? That may be the biggest question of them all.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/73352/2025-26-player-preview-miles-mcbride

 

[New York Knicks]

Guerschon Yabusele explodes for 36 points after initial EuroBasket struggles

While most of the Knicks’ roster is enjoying the final weeks of their summer and getting their off-season workouts in, one of New York’s newest members, Guerschon Yabusele, has been competing in EuroBasket 2025 with the French national team.

France started out the tournament with a dominant 28-point victory over Belgium last week, but Yabusele struggled in the opening game. The big man, who is just one of the three returning members of the country’s Olympic team from last year, lead the team in minutes but scored just 11 points, going 1-7 from the field.

The Frenchmen then followed that win up with a high-scoring affair against a Luka Doncic-led Slovenia team. It was an exciting back and forth that saw France roar back from behind in the final quarter, but it was another quiet game for Yabusele, as he managed to score just six points on five shots.

In their third contest of the tournament, though, France suffered their first loss of the competition. In a game in which France took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter, they managed to score just 13 points in the final period and lost to an Israel team led by Portland Trail Blazers standout, Deni Avdija, who flirted with a triple-double, and went off for 23 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Meanwhile, Yabusele took just six shots, and was tied for a game worst plus minus of -15.

While France entered Tuesday’s game against Poland with a solid, but not overly impressive 2-1 record, Knicks fans, and I’m sure French fans, were left wanting more from Yabusele. And the big man answered.

Yabusele exploded for 36 points on 12-20 shooting from the field, 6-12 from three, and 6-10 from the free throw line, while being tied for the third-best plus minus on the team in a much-needed seven-point win to clinch a spot in the round of 16.

With this monster performance, which happened to be Yabusele’s career-high scoring game while representing France in an international competition, he now leads the team in points per game, rebounds per game, and blocks per game.

France will face Iceland next on September 4th, at 8:00 a.m. ET, with a place in the knockout stage already secured.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...-36-points-after-initial-eurobasket-struggles

 

[New York Knicks]

Julius Randle on Knicks pressure, quitting weed, and finding his “Mamba Disciple” mindset

In a wide-ranging sit-down on Amen Clinics’ podcast/video series, former Knick and current Timberwolf Julius Randle talked through the head stuff behind his on-court improvements last season. Primarily, he credits brain scans, routines, family, and a different approach to pressure that included a decision to quit marijuana.

Randle is frank about how New York City’s intensity seeped into everything when he wore the orange and blue. He describes the abundance of “pressure . . . a lot of negativity” that came with being the guy at the Garden. To cope, he turned to Dr. Daniel Amen to help with impulse control. Together, they worked on a “win or learn” reframing approach, which opened up a new mindset for Randle, who had built a reputation for losing his cool under pressure.

Amen even jokes he was “screaming at the TV” when Randle finally picked up his lone tech of the year—in Game 73. Randle says that was his goal all season: avoid the whistle and keep an even keel.

Julius takes responsibility for the messy arc of his Knicks tenure—the playoff struggles, the ankle year, the shoulder year—and how much of that, in hindsight, was him trying to prove people wrong instead of playing free. The point isn’t to relitigate the New York leg of his career. He maintains that it became the foundation for the late-season run he just had in Minnesota.

The conversation then turns to the herb. Amen observes that marijuana “slows reaction time” and points to SPECT images he believes show “toxicity,” while Randle explains why he used it for anxiety management and to cope with the mental volume of New York. He claims that he stopped because it made him distant, less present with his wife and kids, and fed overthinking once the high wore off.

The doctor and patient even build a simple pro/con list on camera; Randle calls the habit something that could “steal my soul,” and says cutting it out helped him feel clearer, calmer, and more connected at home and at work.

The tools that actually moved the needle: Julius started by “killing the ANTs” (automatic negative thoughts), swapping the “I don’t perform under pressure” narrative for evidence-based counters. He added a pregame dopamine routine that included sleep, gratitude, film of his makes, morning light, cold exposure, delayed caffeine, and targeted supplements. He used EMDR first to process childhood baggage, then to sharpen performance details, like catch-and-shoot confidence and turnovers. Finally, he built an alter ego with Amen—the “Mamba Disciple,” an obvious nod to Kobe—which unlocked short memory and zero people-pleasing aggression on the floor, and then switching it off at home.

We rode the Randle roller coaster here, from the Most Improved award to the thumbs-down. Ultimately, we are grateful that he came to New York when no top players wanted to, and he was a cornerstone while the franchise turned itself around. This interview is the most open and detailed Randle has been on the Knicks years and what changed after. If you needed closure on the Randle chapter, this is a nice place to close the book.

Go Knicks.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...g-weed-and-finding-his-mamba-disciple-mindset

 

[New York Knicks]

2025-26 Player Preview: OG Anunoby

By all accounts, OG Anunoby had the best season of his career in 2024-25 in many ways.

He averaged 18.0 points (a career-high), 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.4 stocks. He tied a career-high with 74 games played, only previously matched by his rookie season, and played all 18 playoff games to set a career-high with 92 total games played. Further, he managed this with the highest workload of his career, playing 36.6 minutes per game and logging a grand total of 3,411 high-stress minutes in the regular season and playoffs, while being the team’s defensive anchor.

Let that serve as a reminder to thank Nico Harrison for allowing the Knicks to poach Casey Smith to run the team’s training staff, en route to their healthiest season in a long time despite heavy workloads for their starters.

While the durability was probably the best part of Anunoby’s season, his scoring outbursts would be the most exciting. It started with him dropping 40 for the first time in his career in Denver on November 25 and posting an ultra-efficient 31 points on 15 shots against his former team in December. However, his increased confidence with the ball culminated in him stepping up while Jalen Brunson missed time with an ankle injury, averaging 23.8 points on 49.4% from the field and 41.7% from deep over a span of 19 games just before the playoffs.

And of course, he remained one of the best defenders in all of basketball. Despite the shortcomings of the rest of the roster defensively, leading to him being stretched too thin at times, he was routinely up to the task against the league’s premier forwards and was a few votes away from making his second career All-Defensive team.

OG Anunoby pic.twitter.com/HN2YCjthfp

— Teg (@IQfor3) July 23, 2025

But it wasn’t all sunshine and daisies for Anunoby. Just as much as he showed his potential with his sudden scoring bursts, Anunoby went into brutal slides with his shooting. After being one of the league’s best corner 3-point shooters, Anunoby sat below 35% there for much of the season before a late-season boost improved it to nearly 38%. That’s good, but much below recent years (44.2% in 2023-24, 45.0% in 2022-23, 46.0% in 2021-22).

Anunoby also had a substandard postseason. Could it be due to fatigue from a long season where he played a career high in minutes by far? Sure, but he still disappointed by shooting just 41.7% from the field and 33.9% from three. The Knicks’ offense relied on both him and Mikal Bridges hitting their corner threes on kick-outs, but Anunoby went just 15-for-60 (25%) in the corner during the playoff run. Anunoby also did not fare well when matched up on Pascal Siakam in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Ultimately, the good outweighed the bad for OG last season, but it’ll be interesting to see what his second full season in orange and blue will bring.

The No. 1 priority for the Knicks with Anunoby is keeping him healthy for the playoffs, where he often guards the other team’s best. It’s hard to rely on another season of super-durability, so the departure of Tom Thibodeau will be a welcome one for him, even if Mike Brown isn’t a big proponent of load management himself.

The way to keep Anunoby from overextending and hurting himself is two-pronged. He needs more help defensively and can’t be playing 40 minutes a night. Much of Anunoby’s minutes last season were spent with him as the only great defender on the court, with Bridges being forced to be the point-of-attack defender; he would have to overextend to make up on the backend for the two (three?) negative defenders on the court. If Mitchell Robinson can have a healthy season, or Deuce McBride gets a big minutes boost, it’ll help Anunoby in a big way.

The Knicks still don’t have great wing depth, but moving Josh Hart to the bench would at least give him and Bridges a backup capable of relieving them without a massive dropoff. Maybe Pacome Dadiet can take a leap on offense and be able to step in as a bench wing at some points this season.

All that said, let’s set some goals for OG this season. It’s hard to live up to the gigantic contract he’s on, but the Knicks don’t need too much from him to do so. He went 2-for-3 on my goals last season!

Play 70 games (again)

It’s a hard ask for a guy who has never played consecutive 70-game seasons, but the Knicks need it. There is not enough high-end defense on this roster for him to miss extended time. Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride are top-shelf defenders for their positions, but neither is a wing, and Robinson specifically has massive concerns of his own. If the Knicks are going to have the season they’ve been dreaming about, they’ll need him healthy.

Oh yeah, also be healthy for the playoffs. That too.

Back to business in the corner

As mentioned earlier, Anunoby has consistently sat between 44-46% from the corner in the last three seasons, before dipping to 37.9% this past season. Better spacing lineups will help tremendously, but OG is going to have to make his shots. He and Bridges are setting records for volume out there; imagine if they start hitting them at a high clip.

All-Defensive First Team

He is more than capable. He missed out on making the second team last year by a total of 16 votes. If the Knicks can lessen his workload, his impact will be further felt instead of being diminished due to being stretched too thin. It’ll be tough with the competition consisting of the likes of Dyson Daniels, Lu Dort, Amen Thompson, and more, but he can do it.

OG Anunoby 24-25 defense supercut pic.twitter.com/T2dvosxrLq

— Teg (@IQfor3) April 3, 2025

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/73274/2025-26-player-preview-og-anunoby

 

[New York Knicks]

Who Really Wore It Best? Allan Houston vs. Jerry Lucas

This week’s segment of WWIB once again pits two Knicks legends from two very different eras of the NBA against one another between Allan Houston and Jerry Lucas.

Lucas already took out one ’90s Knicks legend during his last round matchup with Charles Oakley. Would Houston have taken down Oakley had the matchup been flipped? Probably. Will Lucas knock off another ‘90s Knicks legend and captain? Let’s see how the generational fans decide.

Allan Houston — Allan Houston remains one of the most beloved Knicks of all time, a franchise pillar and a true fan favorite. In 2012, he was honored as the greatest Knick of the 2000s, one of five players chosen to represent their respective decades. Sure, the ceremony happened to coincide with Carmelo Anthony’s debut at the Garden, but the recognition was well earned. Only the wave of star talent that’s arrived since has pushed him down the all-time list.

As Patrick Ewing’s time in New York came to a close and the core from the ’94 Finals run started to fade, Allan Houston stepped into the spotlight as the Knicks’ new leading man. From the moment he replaced John Starks in the starting lineup, he made the shooting guard spot his own, until knee injuries eventually cut his career short.

When he was healthy, though, Houston was a handful. In nine seasons with the Knicks, he put up 17.3 points a night and knocked down threes with ease. His 921 makes from deep trail only Starks in team history, but he got there with more efficiency, needing over 500 fewer attempts. He became a two-time All-Star at the turn of the millennium and capped it off with a gold medal as part of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team.

Jerry Lucas — Lucas was a 7x All-Star, and NBA and NCAA champion. He made the All-NBA First Team three times, and the Second Team twice. Lucas also won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1960, and perhaps most impressive was his inclusion on both the NBA’s 50th and 75th Greatest Players of All Time lists. Twice, Lucas averaged more than 20 points and 20 rebounds in a single season, and over his career he averaged 17 points and 15.6 rebounds per game.

In 1971, the Knicks acquired the sharp-shooting big man in exchange for Cazzie Russell. Initially, the Knicks intended for Lucas to back up Willis Reed, but when Reed suffered a season-ending injury early in the 1971-72 season, Lucas stepped into the starting lineup as the league’s smallest center. Despite skepticism from fans and journalists, Lucas silenced his critics by delivering one of the best seasons of his career. He led the Knicks in rebounding and shooting accuracy and finished second in scoring and assists behind Walt Frazier.

What made Lucas truly astonishing on the court was his versatility. Despite standing at 6’8’’, he was a walking double-double and one of the league’s best long-range shooters long before the three-point line had been introduced by the NBA, causing teams to change their defensive strategies by sending their big men well beyond today’s three-point line to guard him, which in turn would clear out the lane for the offense.

The following year, Lucas’s second in New York, with a healthy Reed back in the starting lineup, Lucas was relegated back to the bench for the first time in his career. Lucas still played a pivotal role for the Knicks’ championship team of 1973, and that championship placed him in the upper echelon of winning a championship at every level of the game – high school, college, the Olympics, and the NBA.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...lly-wore-it-best-allan-houston-vs-jerry-lucas

 

[New York Knicks]

REPORT: Ben Simmons to choose between retirement, Knicks, mystery team

Former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons is seriously considering what’s next in his career—and perhaps in life.

That’s because, according to the latest reports, Simmons is weighing retirement against the possibility of joining the New York Knicks or another “mystery” team that has expressed interest in reviving the Aussie’s career.

Simmons, 29, has battled injuries and inconsistency since being traded by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022, and according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, he is questioning whether to continue playing at all or call it quits once and for all.

“Ben Simmons has generated interest from the Knicks and another team but is also questioning whether he even wants to continue playing in the NBA next season.” — New York Post’s Stefan Bondy

https://t.co/zVmc0H4Vz2

Sources: Knicks among teams interested in Ben Simmons, who is also weighing whether he wants to continue playing

— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) September 3, 2025

The Sixers drafted Simmons with the No. 1 pick in 2016 after a one-and-done season at LSU. He emerged as one of the league’s brightest stars early in his career, showing untapped potential and winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2018. Simmons later earned three straight All-Star selections from 2019 to 2021, and was twice named to the NBA’s All-Defensive team.

If he can find a version close to his best, he’d add an interesting combo of size, playmaking, and defense to these title-contending Knicks. That said, he’d also come with the con of having an awful lack of shooting range, which could hurt the offense at times.

The breaking point in Simmons’s career doesn’t need a reminder, does it? For the uninitiated, it came in the 2021 playoffs when the lad passed up an open dunk in Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks, leading to criticism from coach Doc Rivers and teammate Joel Embiid. He never suited up for the 76ers again and was eventually traded to the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden. Uh, oh.

Back injuries hit him hard and derailed his time in Brooklyn, where he underwent two surgeries and was eventually bought out before having a short stint with the cap-circumventing Los Angeles Clippers, with whom he averaged just 2.9 points in 18 games last season.

The Knicks, fresh off their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000, could bring Simmons in as a depth option under new head coach Mike Brown. He has been in the rumor mill linked to New York for a few weeks as a potential last piece to get into the squad, with one open spot still up for grabs.

New York can only offer Simmons a minimum deal, and there is no guarantee he will either pick that offer or, hell, even continue playing, given Bondy’s report.

One thing is for sure, and that’s the fact that after having made more than $200 million in career earnings, Simmons can retire more than in peace. Kudos to him.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...ing-retirement-joining-knicks-or-mystery-team

 

[New York Knicks]

NBA 2K26 ratings revealed: Where the Knicks stack up

NBA 2k26 rolled out its early access on August 29, with the full release coming on Friday, available on both old-gen and next-gen Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, as well as on PC. The NBA’s feature video game has admittedly declined in quality and has gotten stale over the years, but it remains popular due to a lack of competition and, in my experience, Stockholm syndrome. Why do so many people spend money on games that they know aren’t worth the money? Who knows!

With the Knicks projected to be one of the best teams in the NBA in 2025, they obviously got some high marks on the 2k26. Rating inflation makes it hard to compare to prior games (Notably, Karl-Anthony Towns would be the third-highest rated player in 2k16), but we can still use it as a note.

In terms of team rankings, the Knicks grade out as an 84 overall. According to the game, they’re a mediocre defensive and rebounding team, a great scoring team, and an okay playmaking team. They are tied for the second-best overall, behind the Thunder. Despite a 59 team rebounding, that’s still top-ten. Their weakest attributes as a team are playmaking and defense, both bottom ten.

Jalen Brunson is one of the highest-rated players in the game, coming in as a 93 overall. It’s his same overall as last year, which means it is tied for the highest overall a Knicks player has ever been in a 2k game, along with 2k11 Carmelo Anthony. He’s tied for the tenth-highest rated player in the game with Kevin Durant, Tyrese Haliburton, and Donovan Mitchell. The Knicks’ captain has a fair breakdown in his stats, boasting elite scoring and playmaking while being mediocre defensively. He does have a 73 perimeter defense, a solid testament to Brunson’s aptitude when not overwhelmed physically.

Right behind Brunson is KAT, who comes in as a 92 overall. This is the first time the Knicks have ever had two 90s, as KAT was an 88 last year. It’s also the highest overall of his career, previously peaking at a 91 in 2k19. Only Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Anthony Davis are higher among bigs. Towns’ strengths are scoring at the rim and deep, but he only has a 69 mid-range and is mediocre in terms of playmaking. Of course, if the 2k graders saw that one Orlando Magic game, he would be elite at both.

Karl Anthony Towns reaction after bumping with Moe Wagner pic.twitter.com/Gcja0Xka0a

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) December 4, 2024

This no-look pass from Karl-Anthony Towns was WILD

But Mikal Bridges couldn't connect on the three pic.twitter.com/17BQbHdcqT

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 4, 2024

His weaknesses are also apparent on defense and, apparently offensive rebounding, which I think is an overreaction. There are a couple of harsh grades here, but KAT is overall graded out well. He’s a borderline top-ten shooter, as well.

Wings OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges sit at an 85 and 84 overall, respectively. Bridges being just one overall better than Cam Johnson doesn’t sit right, nor does Anunoby being the same overall as 2025 Kristaps Porzingis.

Anunoby grades out as an elite defender, with his 90 perimeter defense rating being ninth in basketball. He’s got really bad passing and rebounding attributes, but makes up for it by being a good shooter and doing a lot of little things. OG also has a mediocre mid-range, which he can hopefully improve with more of his patented “green animations”. One last note on OG, he apparently pressed 2k’s head honcho about his rating, which I call BS on. OG? Of all people?

OG Anunoby confronted @Ronnie2K over his NBA2K rating pic.twitter.com/SmgjmQRv8e

— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) August 6, 2025

Bridges stagnated at an 84 after being s an 86 as recently as 2k24. He has one of the best close and mid-range shots in the game after shooting incredible numbers on both last season, and still has an 83 3-ball after a challenging season from the perimeter. His defense has regressed, especially on the interior, steal, and block. He has 92 stamina and 95 hustle, something that could honestly be higher.

Josh Hart comes in at a 81, going down one overall point from last year. Hart has a 91 close shot, as he’s one of the best finishers in basketball and a 79 three-pointer. He has 99 stamina and 96 hustle, which, of course. His defense hasn’t taken a hit despite questionable periods last season, but the biggest question I have is the rebounding. 81 defensive, 57 offensive? Do we know who we’re talking about?

“You get regular rebounds, I get rebounds that break teams”

-Josh Hart to Mitchell Robinson

Dudes on the court balling while coming up with the coldest quotes you’ve ever heard pic.twitter.com/TAANp9ysen

— CyKnickal (@CynicalNYK) April 25, 2023

Mitchell Robinson is down to a 78, which is unfortunately the lowest overall he’s been since his rookie year. The injuries just piled up, and I guess a guy with no offensive versatility will not grade out well in a video game. Who gave him a 68 mid-range, though? He hasn’t made one in seven years! Mitch only has a 49 perimeter defense and 76 vertical, which is much too low. Do we not remember Game 6 vs Boston?

Wow
pic.twitter.com/ViOQRiCJrU

— Teg (@IQfor3) May 17, 2025

His best attribute? 98 offensive rebounding, the highest in the game by two (Steven Adams, 96). That’s more like it.

After that, we get the bench. Jordan Clarkson is a 78, Guerschon Yabusele is a 77, and Deuce McBride is a 76. Deuce’s three-pointer is the same as Yabusele’s, which either means he’s getting disrespected or we’re gonna have some fun with Yabu.

Deuce suffers from what I call “role player blur”, where the ratings don’t properly reflect the player because he’s one of dozens of role players who do similar things. For example, he has some disrespectful defensive ratings. His only above-average grade is an 81 perimeter defense, which is also low. He also has a laughably high 96 mid-range, something that’s odd considering it’s not something he’s known for.

As for the rest, Tyler Kolek is a 71, Ariel Hukporti is a 70, and both Pacome Dadiet and Kevin McCullar Jr. are 69s. Hukporti might be a bit low here based on what we’ve seen, but it’s fair to call him unproven. Kolek’s attributes look fine, although I’d give him a playmaking boost. Notably, Mo Diawara is not currently in the game.

So, what do you think about the grades? Is anyo ne too high? Too low? Did 2k get it right? You can do your own snooping at 2kratings.com

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...26-ratings-revealed-where-the-knicks-stack-up

 

[New York Knicks]

2025-26 Player Preview: Guerschon Yabusele

About 14 months ago, Guerschon Yabusele was considered one of the worst draft picks in recent Celtics history. The 2016 lottery pick had a lot of hype coming out of France, but failed to live up to his 16th overall billing. In 74 games with Boston across two seasons, the Frenchman averaged a flaming 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.

Less than two years after signing his initial deal with the C’s, Yabusele was out of the league.

After a year in China and a couple of seasons back in France, there was no reason to think the NBA would be calling again. Yeah, he posted solid numbers in international play, but nothing eye-popping. Surely that was it.

And then, on the biggest stage of his life, with the entire world watching, Guerschon Yabusele did this.

GUERSCHON YABUSELE ON LEBRON JAMES.

NBC and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/cjrH6Q9Epd

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2024

Now, it’s hyperbole to say that that play was the sole reason NBA teams started thinking about him again, but if you want to get the attention of scouts, you should probably dunk on LeBron James in the gold medal match at the Olympics.

However you choose to spin it, Yabusele scored 22, 17, and 20 points against Canada, Germany, and the United States, respectively, on France’s silver medal run. Across those three games, he shot 16-of-24 from the field. His ability to stretch the floor and provide size at the four spot was showcased at the highest level, and NBA teams started ringing.

Ultimately, the Sixers gave him a one-year deal for $2.1 million. If nothing else, it was worth another shot to see if his skills translated to the American game.

They did.

On a Philadelphia team riddled with injuries, Yabu got a lot of run, putting up an impressive 11.0/5.6/2.1 while shooting a hyper-efficient 50.1% from the field and 38.0% from deep.

Those aren’t just good numbers. Those are winning numbers.

Don’t believe me? After winning a title in his native French league, he won a Euroleague chip in 2023 for Real Madrid. He was also on two Celtics teams that won playoff series in back-to-back years. Add in his success in international play for Team France, capped by a pair of silver medals in Olympic play, and it’s clear that this guy rises to the top at any level.

Yabusele is a versatile player who can score in a lot of different ways. He’s a big body at 240 pounds, he’s effective in the post, and he shoots a consistent three-ball. He’s perfectly suited for a seventh- or eighth-man role off the bench.

In other words, he’s exactly what the Knicks need. And that’s why they gave him his first real payday: a two-year deal worth $11.7 million.

As magical as last year’s playoff run was, it showed just how badly the Knicks needed a scoring punch off the bench. The front office responded by picking up Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, two studs who bring energy and offense to the floor every time they’re on the floor.

What are reasonable expectations, you ask?

Well, it’s hard to predict how Mike Brown will tinker with his rotations. Certainly, minutes will be more generously distributed amongst starters and bench players, and Yabusele could benefit as a result.

Still, regardless of how many minutes he plays, he’ll have a role. Here’s how he can provide value to this year’s team.

Shoot 37%+ from three

Listen. I can’t imagine we see 38.1% from deep again this year. It just doesn’t happen. There’s bound to be a drop off.

But if we can get good-to-great three-point shooting on the second unit from a forward, the Knicks will be happy with this signing. Simple.

Stay big defensively

The Knicks need Yabusele to play as big as he actually is. He’ll rebound. He’ll use his body. But his footwork, speed, and defensive positioning hold him back on that end of the floor. Not choosing to quantify this here, but we’ll see what his motor looks like as the season goes on. And we’ll know.

Provide a flexible frontcourt role

The Sixers loved Yabu last year because when Embiid went down, he seamlessly slid into the small-ball center role that kept the defense stretched. He made the right plays. He shot over bigger defenders; he took smaller ones to the post. It all worked.

The Knicks might use him as a four initially, given the KAT/Mitch center rotation. But Mitch won’t play all 82 – let’s not fool ourselves. Yabusele will have to be ready to wear a bunch of different rotational hats this year. It’s a long season. And he should be up to the challenge.

I leave you with this.

Guerschon Yabusele DOMINATES for France

36 PTS
6 3PM
6 REB
2 BLK

Watch all the EuroBasket action live on Courtside 1891: https://t.co/fPC0xWqtRn pic.twitter.com/5WEcie5UeF

— NBA (@NBA) September 2, 2025

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/73426/2025-26-player-preview-guerschon-yabusele

 

[New York Knicks]

Karl-Anthony Towns builds his legacy on and off the court

Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t waiting until retirement to work on his post-NBA legacy. The Knicks big man, alongside Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, just announced a $3 million, 2,500-seat arena in Tamboril, Santiago (KAT’s father’s hometown), built at the Go Ministries Sports Complex. For Towns, the project is more than a gym; it’s a tribute to his family’s roots and a promise to the next generation.

Calling it the proudest moment of his life, Towns said he was overwhelmed by the chance to give back. Abinader praised the arena as “a beautiful design for the youth of Tamboril,” noting its role in tournaments and youth development. For Towns, it is a full-circle moment that ties together his Jersey upbringing, his Dominican heritage, and his present as a star in New York.

“This is possibly the proudest moment I’ve ever had in my life”

— Karl-Anthony Towns with Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader in Puerto Plata on construction of a new 2,500-seat arena & youth sports training facility that KAT is funding in Santiago pic.twitter.com/hTmkIc9WUD

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) September 7, 2025

On the court, Towns has delivered exactly what the Knicks hoped for when they traded for him. In his first season he averaged 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds, and drilled 42% from deep. In a roster constructed with championship aspirations, Towns’ production makes him central to everything New York does. Off the court, however, he is putting his influence into action.

In a recent Bloomberg interview, Towns spoke directly about the difference between New York and Minnesota. “To be part of the success of both organizations that haven’t seen that type of success in so long is nothing short of a blessing,” he said. Walking into Madison Square Garden, he added, let him feel the weight of history. Growing up in New Jersey, he idolized Knicks legends, and joining their story now feels “special.”

The move to New York also hit close to home. “One of the biggest things for me was being able to have my grandmother actually see me play basketball,” Towns said to Bloomberg. She rarely traveled to Minnesota, but with MSG just a train ride away, she joined him for last season’s playoff run. Towns called that experience “unforgettable.”

KAT is unfazed by the spotlight at basketball’s Mecca. “The biggest critic of me is me, not Stephen A. or anyone on a media network,” Towns said. He explained that he focuses on becoming the best version of himself every day.

Even as he builds for the future, Towns stays grounded, saying, “Everyone asks me for the best advice. It’s always: stay in the present. Continue to take care of the present. The future will take care of itself.” At the same time, he has stepped into leadership roles as NBPA vice president and a member of the NBA’s Social Justice Coalition. “My job is not just to take care of LeBron James and Steph Curry,” he said. “It’s to take care of the two-way guys, the mid-level guys, retired players and their families. To inspire change and actually make change—it’s humbling.”

For now, Towns says his focus is squarely on the Knicks’ title chase, but the blueprint for what comes next is already clear. He has the numbers to back up his game, the roots to inspire his off-court projects, and the leadership to shape the next generation of Domincan players. “Right now I’m enjoying being a Knicks player. Very much.”

Here’s the Bloomberg interview. Go Knicks.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...-towns-builds-his-legacy-on-and-off-the-court

 

[New York Knicks]

We’ve finally gotten an update on the long-rumored Ben Simmons situation, and it’s a good one

Ever since the Knicks addressed their bench scoring needs early in the off-season, it’s been a slow and quiet summer for New York. There were a few weeks where we heard murmurs of who the Knicks would bring in to fill Mike Brown’s coaching staff, and we saw the usual big names being linked to the Knicks as future trade possibilities. And besides that, the only other real updates were ones surrounding who the Knicks would sign to fill their final roster spot. Names like Malcolm Brogdon, Torrey Craig, Caleb Houston, Mo Bamba, Amir Coffey, and former Knicks Alec Burks and Landry Shamet have all been thrown around at one point or another. But there was one name that kept being brought up. Ben Simmons. The former number one pick is an enigma to the highest degree, and his ceiling, as well as his floor, continues to make him an incredibly polarizing figure.

At his best, Simmons was an All-NBA caliber player who, despite his infamous shooting woes, could change the trajectory of a team with his incredibly rare combination of size, athleticism, and playmaking. But those days seem to be long gone, thanks in large part to injuries and what some would label as mental challenges. Yet over the last couple of seasons, Simmons has proven that in the right role, he can still succeed as a bench playmaker, capable of defending at a very high level. He answered questions surrounding his ability to take a backseat and play a lesser role. However, the questions surrounding both his health and commitment lingered, which is, without a doubt, the primary reason someone of his talent level remains a free agent. And it seems like it’ll stay that way for a bit longer, as we learned earlier today that Simmons has turned down the Knicks’ one-year offer.

For a Knicks team that is looking to win now and fill its roster with another veteran player capable of contributing immediately, Simmons checked a lot of boxes. He may not be the player he once was, or had the potential of being, but he could’ve been someone who helped form formidable defensive lineups and take some playmaking pressures off of its guards. But the Knicks, who should, and likely will, prioritize shooting and spacing, also made for a questionable fit for Simmons. While there aren’t many players on the Knicks, let alone the league, that are exactly like Simmons, his lack of shooting makes his skillset a bit redundant with the likes of Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson, two players who figure to be a pivotal part of the Knicks’ season.

A lineup consisting of some combination of Deuce McBride, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, the aforementioned Hart and Robinson, and Simmons has the chance to be one of the best defensive lineups any team in the league could call on. But there just aren’t a lot of lineup combinations that Simmons would realistically work with, given his and some of the other players’ offensive weaknesses. The Knicks’ two best players are minuses on the defensive end, and New York knows that. They signed an offensive-minded coach in Brown, and doubled down on maximizing offensive firepower this offseason by signing Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele. Simmons goes against all of that.

The former Sixer, Net, and Clipper might’ve given them some defensive assurance and some depth. He’s a high-risk, high-reward player who might’ve done some great things as a Knick. And he is one of, if not the sexiest name, the Knicks could’ve gone after. But a team that is looking to compete for a championship doesn’t need a player who has had troubles staying healthy, isn’t a perfect fit, has had questions surrounding his commitment, and may not be cut out for the internal and external pressures of being a Knick.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...ored-ben-simmons-situation-and-its-a-good-one

 

[New York Knicks]

What changes Mike Brown might bring to the Knicks

This week, John Schuhmann dug into the adjustments Mike Brown might bring to New York, and the themes are pretty clear.

The Knicks have leaned heavily on Jalen Brunson’s isolation game, ranking near the bottom in ball and player movement every year under Tom Thibodeau. Brown’s history in Sacramento suggests he’ll want the offense to flow more freely, with cuts, passes, and off-ball activity creating easier looks. It might even benefit Captain Clutch himself, who has been more efficient on catch-and-shoot threes than pull-ups.

Tempo is another area to watch. The Knicks were one of the slowest teams in the league at getting into their sets, often leaving themselves to grind out possessions against the shot clock. Brown’s Kings squad consistently goosed the ball up the floor faster, even if it wasn’t always to score in transition. Simply starting earlier opened up more options, which is something recent Knicks teams could have used more of.

On defense, the question is whether Brown will show more flexibility than Thibs. Towns and Brunson are both liable to be targeted in the pick-and-roll, and Thibs rarely turned to zone as a counter. In Sacramento, Brown was willing to deploy zone situationally. Potentially playing bigger lineups with a healthy Mitchell Robinson alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, the new coach could experiment with schemes that protect their stars while still dominating the glass.

The Knicks’ core is back, the depth has been bolstered, and now the biggest variable is their skipper. If Mike can coax more movement, a quicker tempo, and a little more creativity on defense, the ‘Bockers just might be ready to steamroll the league.

What do you think: are these tweaks enough to turn the Knicks into true Finals contenders? Air it out below. And you can read Schuhmann’s article here. Go Knicks.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...-changes-mike-brown-might-bring-to-the-knicks

 

[New York Knicks]

NBA legend and Knickstape icon Carmelo Anthony is the freshest Hall of Famer

Ladies and gentlemen, Carmelo Anthony has officially secured his place among basketball’s immortals.

On Saturday, the Brooklyn-born forward was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, closing the chapter on a career that spanned nearly two decades and firmly established him as one of the game’s bona fide walking buckets.

Love or hate him, Melo’s history won’t ever be forgotten after this moment.

Anthony’s enshrinement placed Anthony alongside a strong 2025 class that included BIG3 rookie Dwight Howard and a trio of W superheroines in Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles, and Maya Moore.

“Pardon my language, but damn. Tonight I just don’t step into the Hall of Fame, I carry the echoes of every voice that ever told me I couldn’t. I had to build a new road. I had to write a new ending. I never got an NBA ring. But I know what I gave to the game.” — Carmelo Anthony

Anthony’s résumé has long been viewed as Hall of Fame worthy, but that doesn’t mean the hooper had it hard to find a way to generate controversy about his position in NBA history, before and after retiring.

For the uninitiated, Melo is a 10-time NBA All-Star, 2013 bucket champ, and three-time Olympic gold medalist. Among many others, including the GOAT “Hoodie Melo,” Anthony legitimately earned the nickname “Olympics Melo” for his dominant international performances no matter where hoops happened to be played.

Before his NBA days, adding to his odds to eventually make it to the HoF, Melo led Syracuse University to the 2003 NCAA championship in his only college season as a true freshman, putting himself on par—if not above—a certain LeBron James ahead of the 2003 NBA draft.

you’ve made New York proud, @carmeloanthony! pic.twitter.com/7v4k3geZkF

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) September 7, 2025

Against Anthony’s legacy and the main reason for controversy surrounding his name: if this were the MLB and we were talking baseball, is that it’d be mad hard to pick a hat for him to wear into the Cemetery of Legends.

Melo’s first seven seasons with the Denver Nuggets brought playoff appearances but no Finals berths, although it’s undeniable how Anthony simply brought the Nuggets back to life before Nikola Jokic (who was then handed the iconic No. 15) brought Denver to the promised land.

Following a forced trade to the New York Knicks in 2011, Melo returned home to play inside the fabled walls of Madison Square Garden, where he spent seven seasons as the face of the franchise and delivered its last playoff series victory in 2013 before the Jalen Brunson-Tom Thibodeau era changed the franchise’s outlook for real.

Back in 2013, coinciding with the aforementioned postseason, Melo prevented LeBron James from a unanimous MVP win by picking up the only first-place vote James didn’t get. A win’s a win.

Grateful for every moment. An amazing chapter of life lived and there’s much more to be written. #STAYME7O pic.twitter.com/5u2XFSxJiv

— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) September 5, 2025

Now, with his obvious HoF induction in the rearview mirror, the main question remains above MSG’s head: Was Anthony’s tenure in New York worthy of having his No. 7 lifted to the rafters?

Anthony’s New York run produced endless Knickstape highlight reels, six consecutive All-Star appearances, and more than 10,000 points in a Knicks uniform. Melo sits top 10 in several franchise categories, including three-pointers made and total scoring. That said, Melo also endured constant roster turnover—some of it because of his stubbornness to join NYC a few months ahead of time—and four head coaches, reaching the second round of the playoffs just once.

The @Hoophall Class of 2025 inductees

Welcome to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame! pic.twitter.com/gWj7VqCBXW

— NBA (@NBA) September 7, 2025

The Knicks have retired just eight numbers (10, 12, 15, 15, 19, 22, 24, 33, 613) with Patrick Ewing’s No. 33 the last to go up in 2003.

Again, do you think the Knicks will eventually raise Melo’s No. 7 to the MSG rafters?

Full Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025​

• Carmelo Anthony (Player)
• Dwight Howard (Player)
• Sue Bird (Player)
• Maya Moore (Player)
• Sylvia Fowles (Player)
• 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s team (Team)
• Billy Donovan (Coach)
• Micky Arison (Contributor / Executive)
• Danny Crawford (Referee)

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...on-carmelo-anthony-is-finally-a-hall-of-famer

 

[New York Knicks]

2025-26 Player Preview: Mitchell Robinson

Defense wins championships. Almost every NBA champion has a capable defense. Take the 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder, who had a historically stingy defense in comparison to the league environment. While the Pacers pushed them to the brink in the NBA Finals, and they got a scare from Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in the second round, they were a dominant force all season long:

I wanted to look into the age-old question by plotting the Top 20 relative offenses and defenses since 1980. Wild result displaying the exact same percentage on both sides of the ball.

Emphasizes just how dominant this 2025 OKC Thunder team was as well. pic.twitter.com/6zrOL4TbIk

— Bandit (@ballbandit17) July 1, 2025

Unfortunately, the Knicks will not have a top-shelf defense. That’s pretty impossible when your two offensive focal points, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, are two of the worst defenders at their positions (for one reason or another). Still, the team can manage to sit around 10th in defensive rating and be able to win it all, just like the 2021 Bucks and 2023 Nuggets, but they’ll need the few excellent defenders on the roster to be healthy.

Deuce McBride is a great point-of-attack defender, and OG Anunoby is one of the premier defensive wings in basketball, but the key to the Knicks’ defense could be in their oft-injured backup center, Mitchell Robinson.

There are many things that can be said about Robinson. He is the longest tenured Knick, he’s one of the best offensive rebounders in all of basketball, he gets injured too much, etc etc. The predicament the Knicks are in is that not only is Robinson one of the team’s most important players despite frequently missing extended time, but his contract situation is as murky as possible.

Mitchell Robinson had the lowest defensive rating of any Knicks player who played at least 200 minutes in the playoffs. In the regular season, he outpaced all but Cam Payne and Landry Shamet in defensive rating. Despite a minimal gas tank that limited how much the Knicks could lean on him in the playoffs, he had some of the most impactful minutes. He was a key force all postseason in slowing down the excellent Boston and Indiana offenses. In each of the last three postseasons, you could make the case that Robinson is one of the MVPs of series that the Knicks win. Cleveland in 2023, Philly in 2024, Detroit and Boston in 2025. His ability to shatter the will of opponents with his domination on the offensive glass is remarkable.

Still, there are concerns about Robinson beyond his frequent unavailability. Of course, despite what his offseason workouts say, there’s the fact that he’s attempted a grand total of two shots outside the paint in his career, making him a bad fit if the Knicks look to maximize offense with five-out spacing. He’s also still a horrific free-throw shooter, and although he appeared to be working on it and making improvements, he folded under the Hack-A-Mitch being endlessly used by Joe Mazzulla in the playoffs to limit his impact. He did make six in a row at one point, though.

However, the No. 1 thing that will define Big Mitch this season will once again be his health. If he can play in the ballpark of 60 games, something he’s done four times in his career, he’ll be ready for a larger workload when the games really count. The big issue is if he sustains a long-term injury that either threatens his postseason status or, for the third year in a row, limits his conditioning. His ankle injury in December 2023 and subsequent re-aggravation in the playoffs led to him playing just 48 games combined in the last two seasons. That’s just untenable.

This’ll be a big year for Robinson, but not for the fact that he can contribute to a real contender after finally having a healthy offseason. He’s due to hit unrestricted free agency next offseason after his eighth season in the orange and blue, and it’s not an easy decision for either side. The Knicks don’t have much financial flexibility, and with the second apron likely inevitable anyway, letting Robinson walk for nothing would be devastating. On the other hand, can they really pay the market rate for an impactful, but oft-injured big? What if he asks for another multi-year deal at a higher AAV than his last contract? Can they afford to say no? Is a trade on the table? These questions will define Robinson’s season.

Lastly, his role is in question. I called him our backup center in the opening, but he could be starting on Opening Night. Mike Brown hasn’t tipped his hand on how he would handle the starting five next season, but Robinson will be in contention with the incumbent Josh Hart, the aforementioned Deuce McBride, and maybe Guerschon Yabusele in certain looks. Of course, if he does start, he’d have the shortest leash of the bunch to keep him healthy. Is Ariel Hukporti more likely to see minutes in a double big system? We’ll have to wait and see.

Mitchell Robinson with OUTSTANDING defense… leads to a layup for Karl-Anthony Towns on the other end!

NYK on a 17-4 run in the 2Q on ESPN pic.twitter.com/TmKtT53rax

— NBA (@NBA) May 17, 2025

Alright, let’s set some goals. Robinson didn’t hit many of mine last year, but that’s partially because they slow-played his return to an extreme degree. I only have two of them, as the range of possible outcomes with him is smaller than most players, but I’d still love to see both accomplished:

Play 60 Games + Be Healthy for April​

Let’s avoid a long-term injury. That’s a goal for every player, but for Mitch, he badly needs a healthy season. In every sport, we see players repeatedly endure lower-body injuries and wonder when the breaking point will be. At some point, you just endure too much strain on your lower body, and it permanently hurts your athleticism. Think Giancarlo Stanton in MLB, who was a great outfielder with solid speed before his string of soft tissue injuries that began in 2019, which turned him into a DH and rendered him the speed of a senior citizen.

Robinson’s rookie year burst is already visually limited, but he has plenty left in the tank. For his sake, he doesn’t want to get any closer to the tipping point. Load manage him on back-to-backs, manage his minutes, keep him healthy.

Attempt a Three-Pointer​

I don’t care. Until I see it happen, I will keep asking him to do it. He has never attempted a three-point shot in his career. He has played, by far, the most minutes in the NBA without an attempt since entering the league. Hell, if you go back to 2003, Robinson has 1,000 more minutes than the next-closest player. I just want to see one. Do it in the fourth quarter of a game already decided. Thibs isn’t here anymore; he won’t yell at you for it, I promise.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...player-preview-knicks-nba-injuries-mike-brown

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks bring back Landry Shamet on one-year deal

After weeks, and weeks, and weeks of speculation about who the Knicks would use their last veteran contract on, New York has finally decided on bringing back Landry Shamet on a one-year deal.

While the offseason rumor mill had the Knicks linked to other veterans, Shamet seemed like the safest, most obvious, and overall best option.

Free agent guard Landry Shamet has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the New York Knicks, his agent George S. Langberg of GSL Sports Group tells ESPN. Shamet stays with the Knicks for his 8th NBA season. pic.twitter.com/oFtvDcLIA4

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 11, 2025

Some names might’ve given the Knicks more upside, but many of them came with injury concerns, questions surrounding commitment, worries about fit, or just an overall uncertainty about whether they’d be happy taking on the role they would be opting into. For those reasons, and more, Shamet made sense to many fans. Not only were there apprehensions about signing the other available veterans, but in Shamet, the fans and the front office knew what they’d be getting: a reliable, no-frills player who can hit open shots, defend, and make winning plays.

The seven-year journeyman did get off to a rough start in his first season in New York due to a shoulder injury that sidelined him until the day before Christmas Eve. In his first 37 games as a Knick, he averaged just 3.9PPG, while shooting just 32.9% from three, and it was clear that he had lost a lot of the rhythm and confidence he had built up during the preseason.

But once he found his footing, he quickly became an unsung hero and a surprising fan favorite, making winning plays off the bench. In the final 13 games of the regular season, he averaged 10.9PPG on 48.5% shooting from the field, and 46.3% from three. And in the playoffs, he continued to play well by providing some extremely valuable high-energy minutes and knocking down some very timely shots.

With head coach Mike Brown, as well as bench players Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele coming in this year, it’s still unclear what kind of role he’ll have. But this seems like the right move for everyone involved.

The team brings back a player who already knows a lot of the players on the roster. Shamet, who made it clear that he was hoping for a return to the Knicks, gets his wish. And the fans get to welcome back a player they grew to appreciate more and more over the course of last season.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...cks-bring-back-landry-shamet-on-one-year-deal

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks sign Garrison Matthews to training camp deal

It’s been two months since the Knicks made their initial moves in free agency, signing Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele to fill out their bench. With Clarkson signing a vet min and Yabusele inking a deal slightly below the taxpayer mid-level exception, the Knicks had just enough room to sign one more veteran to a deal before giving their final roster spot to a young player on a second-round contract.

After two months of speculation and rumors, the Knicks made two signings on Thursday, seemingly making it a competition for who gets the last roster spot. Shortly after bringing back Landry Shamet on a non-guaranteed deal, it was reported that sharpshooting wing Garrison Matthews would get a similar deal to compete with Shamet for that roster spot. The Knicks then signed former Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon on Friday, which lowers the odds that Matthews cracks the roster.

Matthews, who turns 29 in October, is a six-year NBA veteran, playing for the Wizards, Rockets, and Hawks. The 6’5” wing out of Lipscomb has been known for one thing over the years: being a dynamite shooter. Over the last two seasons with the Hawks, Matthews had averaged six points in 16.1 minutes a game while shooting 42.4% from the field and a blistering 41.4% from three.

The Knicks already boast two high-volume corner 3pt shooters in the starting lineup and have Deuce McBride as a solid catch-and-shoot option, but Matthews can stake a claim as the very best in basketball. Last season, he led the NBA with a 58.0 corner 3% in 69 attempts.

Garrison Mathews is the crown jewel of free agency https://t.co/LExuKvfdwD pic.twitter.com/rJFzGQXwVb

— Owen Phillips (@owenlhjphillips) July 31, 2025

His path to a roster spot is going to be complicated. Shamet absolutely has supporters in the building after a good playoff run last season, and now that Brogdon is in the fold, he feels like a long shot. Maybe this is a move to get him in Westchester as emergency depth, similar to T.J. Warren and Chuma Okeke last season? We’ll have to wait and see.

If the Knicks want to keep two of the three players that they picked up in the last 36 hours, they’ll have to make a move. The cost to sign two more vet mins would be $4.6 million, which is $900,000 more than the Knicks can spend. They could trade, say, Tyler Kolek for no returning salary and open up room to sign two veterans and narrowly dip under the cap after signing a 14th player to the second-round exception.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...son-matthews-training-camp-nba-shamet-brogdon

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks sign Malcolm Brogdon to one-year deal

The Knicks have added another vet to their bench. As first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, free-agent guard Malcolm Brogdon has agreed to a one-year deal with New York, giving Mike Brown a reliable secondary ballhandler and a calm late-clock decision-maker.

Free agent guard Malcolm Brogdon has agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Knicks, agent Sam Permut of Roc Nation tells ESPN. Entering his 10th NBA season, the former Sixth Man of the Year gives the Knicks key backcourt depth and reserve playmaking. pic.twitter.com/JyVAywF2gj

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 12, 2025

Brogdon is more surgical than splashy. Across nine NBA seasons, he’s averaged 15.3 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds, toggling comfortably between on-ball creation and space-and-shoot duties. His mantle includes a Rookie of the Year trophy (2017) and a Sixth Man of the Year award (2023), and he could provide top-level playmaking to New York’s second unit.

If Brown wants clean offense without sacrificing defense, Brogdon is a good option. He thrives in pick-and-roll, makes the simple read, and punishes lax defenses with catch-and-shoot threes. He can run the secondary offense, share the court with starters as an off-guard, and won’t screw the team in late, close-game situations.

The question with Brogs is availability. He missed significant stretches in recent years, so the key will be role definition and workload management. The best strategy is to keep his minutes purposeful, surround him with shooting, and let his tempo govern the bench. If he’s right physically, he raises the floor on random Tuesdays and the ceiling in tight fourth quarters.

Brogdon’s path (Milwaukee, Indiana, Boston, Portland, and Washington) has tested him in different systems. His game has scaled along the way. The Knicks sure could have used him last season!

With Landry Shamet returning on a one-year deal, Jordan Clarkson signing this summer, and Deuce McBride chomping at the bit, New York suddenly has real competition for secondary guard minutes. Training camp should sort out the roster, but Brogdon’s on-ball chops give him a path to consistent run as the second unit’s organizer and situational closer.

According to Ian Begley: “Malcolm Brogdon’s deal with the Knicks is non guaranteed, per source familiar with the matter. He will obviously get strong consideration for roster spot. Landry Shamet will also get strong consideration for the spot. If Knicks don’t make a trade, they will have to choose between the two vets.”

Malcolm Brogdon’s deal with the Knicks is non guaranteed, per source familiar with the matter. He will obviously get strong consideration for roster spot. Landry Shamet will also get strong consideration for the spot. If Knicks don’t make a trade, they will have to choose between…

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) September 12, 2025

If the body holds up, this is a sharp piece of business. Brogdon provides Brown and the ‘Bockers with a trustworthy veteran playmaker off the bench. Paired with Jordan Clarkson (if they’re both feeling their oats), we could have an exciting dynamic duo to plug in when the starters are resting. Now, I’ll need to remember it’s Brogdon and not Brogdan . . . and I’m still practicing Guerschon Yabusele. . . . This could be a rough season for P&T editors.

Welcome aboard, Malcolm!

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-news/73515/knicks-sign-malcolm-brogdon-to-one-year-deal

 

[New York Knicks]

Who will take the Knicks’ final veteran roster spot?

After much discussion over the past few months about how to shape the back end of their roster, the Knicks responded with a flurry of signings over the past 24 hours.

All of a sudden, we have a bit of a roster crunch on our hands.

The Knicks have room to sign just one player to a veteran minimum heading into the season. Instead of making their choice now, they invited three players to training camp on non-guaranteed deals.

First, the Knicks brought fan-favorite Landry Shamet back to Tarrytown.

After spending much of the regular season on the bench, Shamet endeared himself to New Yorkers everywhere, putting forth multiple inspiring playoff performances, capitalized by consistent shooting and strong defense.

REMEMBER THE TIME LANDRY SHAMET STEPPED UP IN AN ELIMINATION GAME@IQfor3 pic.twitter.com/GxipIExT9u

— The Strickland (@TheStrickland) May 30, 2025

He contributed to winning postseason basketball, and did so as a Knick. There’s an argument to be made that he has the upper hand here simply because of his familiarity with the organization.

Unfortunately for him, former Rookie of the Year & Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with New York as well. Oh yeah… he’s also a member of the 50/40/90 club.

Brogdon is 32 years old and brings just about everything you could want in a backup point guard to the table for the Knicks. He’s a great defender, strong facilitator, and an absolute marksman from deep. He’s well-seasoned too, having appeared in 43 career playoff games, and could provide a steady veteran presence to the Knicks’ second unit.

Just two years ago, he was dicing teams up in the playoffs on the Celtics.

His biggest mark against him? Health. Brogdon played a combined 63 games over the last two years, battling through various injuries. He’s the best player on this list when he’s available, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Finally, Garrison Mathews got a training camp invite, and he’s a bit of a wild card on this list who could make things messy if he overperforms.

Mathews has been in the league for six years. He’s got a quick trigger and might be the best shooter in any room he walks into. The Lipscomb alum shot 41.3% across his last three seasons for Atlanta, and he’s got great energy on the offensive side of the floor.

He doesn’t do much else at a high level besides shoot – but hoo boy, can he ever shoot.

If he catches fire in training camp or the preseason, he could make the Knicks’ decision a bit harder than it needs to be. He’s the odd man out heading into this battle, but don’t count him out altogether.

All of these deals have people questioning another player’s roster security heading into training camp: Tyler Kolek.

Kolek didn’t get much of a shot last year under Coach Thibs and didn’t quite live up to Summer League expectations. Is the stage being set for a trade heading into the season?

Tyler Kolek is a potential trade candidate for the Knicks, and they’ve already received an offer from another team, per @krispursiainen

“Jalen Brunson, Miles ‘Deuce' McBride, and new additions in Jordan Clarkson and Brogdon would give the team depth at guard. This could logjam… pic.twitter.com/gfh13iBIRA

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 12, 2025

It’s a great problem to have for the Knicks, as all guys can contribute to winning ball, but it’s a problem nevertheless. At least one guy on this list will help the Knicks win games this year. The jury’s still out on whether there’s potential for another.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...ill-take-the-knicks-final-veteran-roster-spot

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks bring back sharpshooter on non-guaranteed training camp deal

The New York Knicks are bringing back Matt Ryan on a non-guaranteed deal ahead of training camp, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.

Matt Ryan has signed a deal with the Knicks and will join them at training camp, the Post has learned.

Ryan played 19 games last season was the Knicks.

— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) September 16, 2025

Ryan, 28, spent part of last season with New York, appearing in 19 regular-season games after initially signing a non-guaranteed contract before he was switched to a two-way deal on Christmas Eve. Ryan was waived on March 1.

Across those appearances, Ryan logged just 68 minutes, scoring 28 total points and grabbing eight rebounds, largely in late-game situations, and averaging 1.5 points and 0.4 boards per game (on 3.6 minutes per game, mind you) throughout his brief stint with the Knicks.

We all know Ryan at this point, and we all know he’s a good perimeter shooting—full stop. He’s hit 40.2 percent of his career three-point attempts since entering the league in 2022, but if he hasn’t solidified himself in four years of NBA experience, that’s for a reason.

Ryan, on top of everything, is no longer eligible for a two-way contract, meaning he would need to secure a full roster spot to remain in New York, which, at this point and given the Knicks’ roster construction and recent moves, sounds unlikely at best, impossible at worst.

Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon, and Garrison Mathews are among the players expected to battle for what could be only one standard roster spot if the Knicks do not clear space through a trade, which can’t be ruled out.

Tyler Kolek is a potential trade candidate for the Knicks, and they’ve already received an offer from another team, per @krispursiainen

“Jalen Brunson, Miles ‘Deuce' McBride, and new additions in Jordan Clarkson and Brogdon would give the team depth at guard. This could logjam… pic.twitter.com/gfh13iBIRA

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 12, 2025

Ryan might be a Westchester native and former Iona Prep standout who called playing for the Knicks a “unique circumstance” during his previous stint, but he’s far from a lock to make the cut.

Good luck, Matt!

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...pshooter-on-non-guaranteed-training-camp-deal