The Post’s Stefan Bondy makes answers the biggest Knicks questions, makes bold predictions and picks the five biggest games of the 2024-25 season:
Starting five
1. Does Jalen Brunson have another level?
He’s already burst through every ceiling created by outside expectations, so it would be unwise to doubt Brunson. But he’s also never faced pressure like the upcoming season in the NBA. The Knicks just crowned him team captain — and made a big deal out of it, too, with an elaborate ceremony at MSG. They surrounded Brunson with teammates who should accentuate his strengths and cover up his weaknesses. It will be tough to produce better than season’s run to All-NBA Second Team, but Brunson’s been given the tools to make it happen.
2. Can the wings find happiness and harmony?
The Knicks had a similar conundrum last season with their guard/wing crunch, when it rapidly became apparent there weren’t enough offensive opportunities for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart. The response was to trade two of them for OG Anunoby. Now Tom Thibodeau has three high-volume shooters in the starting lineup in Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. It’s hard to imagine Hart or Anunoby getting any looks in the half-court. Hart, a self-described rhythm player, already said he felt “lost” in preseason and floated the idea of moving to the bench. And Hart has a point. It does seem wasteful for him to stand in a corner every possession, especially after Hart flashed his triple-double potential last season. The obvious solution is to stagger the rotation, but that’ll be difficult if every starter is hovering around 35 minutes.
3. How do they compensate for lack of rim protection?
It’s been a tenet under Thibodeau — protect the rim. In all four of the coach’s seasons, the Knicks have been top-7 in points allowed in the paint. But that was also because New York had a deterrent at center in either Isaiah Hartenstein, Mitchell Robinson or Nerlens Noel. Towns is not that type of rim protector. But the Knicks upgraded elsewhere on defense — specifically on the wings with Anunoby, Hart and Bridges — so they should be better at staying in front of the ball handler. We’ll see if it works. Thibodeau wasn’t happy with the product in preseason: “We’re scoring plenty. The defense has to be a lot better,” he said.
4. Can Mikal Bridges rediscover his shot?
A small alarm sounded in preseason over Bridges’ 3-point shot, which was converted at an abysmal 11 percent during the preseason. Bridges acknowledged tweaking his form, saying it’s something he’s been working on since turning pro. He produced a word salad when asked exactly what changed before this season, but it’s clear there’s something different with the release. More than anything, it sounded like Bridges was dealing with a case of the yips after going 0-for-10 on treys Friday. Some attempts were wide open and Bridges didn’t come close. That obviously needs to be fixed. He’s historically a good shooter in the NBA — knocking down 38 percent from beyond the arc in his NBA career — and the Knicks require efficiency from Bridges for the spacing to work. There’s a lot of pressure on Bridges after the Knicks used five first-round picks to acquire him. We’ll see how he handles it.
5. Will lack of depth become a problem?
The Knicks lost four rotation players in the offseason — Hartenstein, Julius Randle, DiVincenzo and Robinson (yes, we’re counting him, though he is expected back at some point after a slow recovery from foot surgery) — and they only got back two (Towns and Bridges). That means the bench took a hit. As it stands, the bench rotation probably includes Miles McBride, Precious Achiuwa, Cam Payne and Jericho Sims. This probably won’t mean much if the Knicks are healthy. The roster is top-heavy, all under 30 years old, and we envision Thibodeau riding the starters for heavy minutes in the regular season. But issues arise with injury. And guess, what? Achiuwa is already out for at least a few weeks with a hamstring strain.
Buzzer beaters
Newcomer to watch
Karl-Anthony Towns played on one team in his nine-year career and, no disrespect to the Twin Cities, New York is a different market in terms of spotlight and pressure. Success or failure by the Knicks this season will be viewed as a judgment on the decision to acquire Towns for Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle. Though he doesn’t have to carry the team — that’s Jalen Brunson’s gig as Batman — Towns is the unquestioned Robin of the roster. There will be plenty of 3-point attempts and rebounding is mandatory.
Most important decision
How to handle the frontcourt rotation. The ideal scenario is that the players on the roster work out. That means Towns and OG Anunoby don’t give up too much on the boards and in the paint. It also means Precious Achiuwa, Jericho Sims and Ariel Hukporti are solid off the bench. Maybe even Mitchell Robinson returns from injury. But there are a lot of questions and concerns with that configuration. And if the frontcourt rotation doesn’t jell, the next option is the trade market.
Good days to come
The Knicks added talent to a roster that fell just one win short of the conference finals for the franchise’s first time since 2000. The entire rotation is under 30 years old and the starting lineup is signed through at least 2025-26. On paper, they probably have the second-best roster in the Eastern Conference, behind only the Celtics. They carry the top point guard in the conference and a defensive wing combo to compete with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. It’s no longer a pipe dream to envision the Knicks parading down the Canyon of Heroes. With Brunson signing a team-friendly extension, there’s enough flexibility to operate under the restrictive second apron of the luxury tax.
Bad days ahead
Anunoby and Towns, two players with an extensive injury history, are signed to megadeals paying them a combined $440 million. Those contracts could easily turn into negative and prohibitive assets. Much of what the Knicks built last season was on chemistry, friendships and, in the words of Josh Hart, “immaculate vibes.” Then the front office shook up the roster and changed the identity. “Immaculate vibes” aren’t easily recreated. Then there’s the competition, beyond just the Celtics — Giannis Antetokounmpo, the best player in the conference, shouldn’t be underestimated; the Sixers acquired Paul George; the Pacers beat the Knicks in the playoffs last season; and the Cavs and Magic should be better.
Story that won’t go away
Tom Thibodeau has openly shunned load management and reiterated that stance during training camp. He attacks each game, whether regular season or playoffs, with an all-in commitment to victory. It served the coach well to reach this point with a multi-year extension, but the Knicks have also reached the next phase of their development — where the playoffs are assumed and advancement is utterly more important than regular-season results. For success when it really matters, the Knicks require health. And there are different theories to achieving said health. Thibodeau doesn’t subscribe to the one that calls for sitting games.
Don’t be surprised if…
The defense underwhelms. Sure, the Knicks have two great wing defenders in Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, plus a very good one in Hart. But Towns is a minus on “D” and the lack of rim protection could create problems. The offense will be dynamic, perhaps the best we’ve ever seen at the Garden (assuming Bridges gets over his shooting problems). But Thibodeau’s philosophy of protecting the paint won’t be as successful with this roster configuration.
Three bold predictions
1. Mitchell Robinson doesn’t play this season: He’s had multiple procedures to both feet and has proven susceptible to setbacks. This is not a positive prediction but reality is Robinson can’t be counted on to return in good condition. The Knicks understood that enough to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns.
2. Miles McBride becomes Sixth Man of the Year candidate: If he doesn’t get elevated to the starting lineup, McBride is the first Knick off the bench and a budding scorer who shot 41 percent on treys last season. Unfortunately for McBride, he’s vastly underpaid and won’t be a free agent until 2027.
3. Leon Rose isn’t done making moves: The lack of interior defense and Robinson’s absence will compel Tom Thibodeau to push his front office for a rim protector before the deadline. The Knicks are depleted of most of its trade assets but still carry several second-round picks to sweeten the pot.
What’s happening on and off the Garden court
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Five games to watch
Tuesday at Celtics
The Knicks face the team they’re chasing on opening night after being forced to watch Boston accept its championship rings.
Friday vs. Pacers
The home opener is a rematch of the Knicks’ elimination last season, when they fell in Game 7 at MSG to Tyrese Halliburton. Quick opportunity for to show they’re healthy and better this time.
Nov. 12 at Sixers
The Knicks face their budding rivals for the first time since their heated playoff series last season. It’s also the opening round of Adam Silver’s NBA Cup.
Jan. 17 vs. Timberwolves
It’s the first time Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo return to MSG for the regular season since the trade. And if the preseason reunion was any indication, expect drama.
Feb. 1 vs. Lakers
LeBron James will be 40 years old for this game and, if healthy, could be making his final appearance at MSG as a player. LeBron hasn’t announced a retirement plan but next season isn’t a given at his age.
Prediction: 52-30
It’s a new team and bound for hurdles as the identity takes shape. Still, the offensive talent will carry the Knicks to their best regular season in 12 years as Jalen Brunson ascends into the MVP conversation. They’ll reclaim the second-seed in the East behind the Celtics.
