Hanifan's Offseason Outlook: Evaluating the New York Knicks' 2025 offseason

New York Knicks Offseason — (Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)

For our second annual offseason outlook series, Hot Hot Hoops senior writer Matt Hanifan will provide his take on the offseasons of all 30 teams for the next 30 days! We will proceed in alphabetical order, starting with the Eastern Conference. Today, we will be evaluating the New York Knicks’ offseason.

Past Previews:

Sept. 1: Atlanta Hawks
Sept. 2: Boston Ce l tics
Sept. 3: Brooklyn Nets
Sept. 4: Charlotte Hornets
Sept. 5: Chicago Bulls
Sept. 6: Cleveland Cavaliers
Sept. 7: Detroit Pistons
Sept. 8: Indiana Pacers
Sept. 9: Milwaukee Bucks

Evaluating the New York Knicks’ 2025 offseason:

Additions: Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele

Subtractions: Precious Achiuwa free agent), MarJon Beauchamp (free agent), Kevin McCullar Jr. (free agent), Cameron Payne (free agent), Landry Shamet (free agent), P.J. Tucker (free agent), Anton Watson (free agent), Delon Wright (free agent),

Re-signed: Mikal Bridges

Draft: NONE

Hanifan’s outlook: The Knicks were two games away from the NBA Finals, but were bounced by the Indiana Pacers for the second consecutive season. New York’s biggest change this offseason was firing head coach Tom Thibodeau and replacing him with Mike Brown, one of the best head coaching candidates available.

I think Brown will bring a more modernized offense that features the two-man game of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Thibodeau got away from that dynamic; combine that with both being suboptimal defenders and the Knicks sporting the third-worst 3-point rate, then it’s easy to see why it fell apart when it did.

The Knicks added Yabusele at a bargain price to replace Achiuwa. I also love adding Clarkson at a veteran minimum cost. Remember, he averaged 16.2 points on 40.8/36.2/79.7 shooting splits last year. That’s excellent value, even though he can still be fairly streaky.

The Knicks had a very strong summer and should be one of the best teams in the East next summer.