Things are looking up for the New York Knicks, and the rest of the NBA is taking notice.
The Knicks have made the playoffs in three of the last four years, with back-to-back second-round appearances in 2023 and 2024. They have an All-NBA guard in Jalen Brunson, a deep supporting cast, tough-minded coach in Tom Thibodeau, and — dare we say it — a desirable, team-oriented culture.
This recent turnaround could help them land another star player in the future.
According to The Ringer's Howard Beck, agents and players "now view the Knicks as a desirable destination."
One "veteran" agent who has represented star players told Beck: "I think there is a higher trust level. They're winning; everyone sees the passion of the fans. Guys who flourish under Thibs love him. I don't have any reservations about putting anyone there."
As Beck noted, although Thibodeau finished as the coach players least want to play for in a poll by The Athletic, current Knicks players have praised Thibodeau's work ethic and defended him against criticism.
Just five years ago the Knicks were the laughingstock of the NBA. They were rejected by the prize free agents of 2019, most notably Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Durant later said the Knicks weren't "cool."
The team did not make the playoffs from 2014-2020 and in that time went through four head coaches. They traded away Kristaps Porzingis — the only star player they had drafted in years — at his request.
In 2020, the Knicks hired Leon Rose as team president, and he hired Thibodeau as head coach. That has stabilized the franchise, and of course, Brunson's unexpected emergence into an MVP-caliber player has thrust the Knicks into contention.
The Knicks do not plan to have cap space any time soon, but they do have a bevy of future draft picks. They are expected to pursue another star player via trade this offseason.
By the sounds of it, for the first time in years, a star player may request to be dealt to the Knicks.
