With the 2025-26 NBA season set to begin, here are bold predictions for around the league, including for theKnicks.
SO-SO START FOR KNICKS & BROWN
I think it will take the Knicks a few weeks to get familiar with head coach Mike Brown’s offensive and defensive principles. Josh Hart missed most of the preseason with a back ailment and Mitchell Robinson missed the last two preseason games as part of New York’s workload management plan, so the Knicks weren’t whole for much of the preseason. Usually that wouldn’t be a big deal, but this team is learning new principles on both sides of the ball. The Knicks will still be learning Brown’s playbook during the regular season.
Assuming everyone is healthy for Wednesday’s opener and beyond, I think the Knicks will play around .500 for the first 15-20 games. There will be some frustration early on as players get accustomed to their roles and find out what works – and doesn’t work – under Brown. But I think these will be natural growing pains. The Knicks have veterans and professionals in the locker room. They will eventually get comfortable in their new roles and will hit their stride in January. But I don’t think they will set the world on fire early in the season.
HAWKS ON KNICKS’ HEELS
I like the new-look Atlanta Hawks. If they can stay healthy, I think they will be right behind the Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings. I think they will force the Knicks to win games in the last weekend of the season in order to secure their seed in the conference. Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson give the Hawks the ability to play multiple different pick-and-roll coverages (Daniels on his own is an absolute terror on defense). You add in second-year Zaccharie Risacher, a healthy Kristaps Porzingis and of course Trae Young and it’s easy to see how this team can win a lot of games. I think the Knicks finish ahead of them in the standings but I expect the Hawks to give the Knicks a scare.
GIANNIS
I don’t think I’m going out on a limb here, but I think Giannis Antetokounmpo stays put at the trade deadline. It’s tough to pull off trades for players of that magnitude in-season. So if things are not working out well in Milwaukee, I would expect Giannis to revisit his future with the Bucks in the offseason rather than early February. No matter how it plays out, give Milwaukee credit for the Damian Lillard buyout. That is a lot of money to eat and shows how badly they want to keep Antetokounmpo.
May 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) strips the ball from Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) (not pictured) winning the game in overtime during game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. / David Butler II - Imagn Images
BRIDGES VOTED ALL STAR RESERVE
Mikal Bridges is going to have a great season under Brown. He is more comfortable after spending a full year with the Knicks, and Brown has been effusive of his praise of Bridges on both ends of the floor. I think Bridges will be a star in his role this year and his defense will be a pivotal part of so many regular season wins. If he can knock down threes at a better clip than last year and get to the free throw line more often, his scoring should jump. Eastern Conference coaches will recognize Bridges’ impact by voting him to the All Star team as a reserve.
KNICKS TRADE FOR BACKUP POINT GUARD
Tyler Kolek has the talent to handle this role, but does he have the experience? That’s what the Knicks will assess in the first dozen or so games of the season. Kolek could be a pleasant surprise for the Knicks, locking up the backup point guard role with his strong play. I think he has the talent to fill the role. But just based on how things work in pro sports, I think the Knicks will ultimately look for a veteran to fill that role because they are chasing a championship. It’s asking a lot of a rookie or second-year player to hold down a rotation spot on a title contender. I don’t know who the Knicks will target; Spencer Dinwiddie is available but I don’t think he will end up in New York.
QUICK HITTERS
MITCHELL ROBINSON FREE AGENCY: I think history will repeat itself and the Knicks and Robinson will be unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension. Robinson will hit free agency this summer and, if healthy, will have a number of teams interested in his services.
JORDI FERNANDEZ COY: The Nets’ record will be abysmal, but Jordi Fernandez will again have his team playing competitively for 48 minutes. Under Fernandez, the Nets fought and played with spirit on both ends of the floor last season. I’d expect the same this season. The Nets’ fight will lead to Fernandez getting Coach of the Year votes.
LEBRON GOES HOME: LeBron James will be moved to Cleveland during the season and will ultimately own a controlling stake in the team.
BEASLEY BACK: Malik Beasley will get cleared in the federal gambling investigation and then sign with a playoff contender.
DONTE 6MOY: Donte DiVincenzo will be a strong contender for the NBA’s Sixth Man award. He has a year in Minnesota under his belt and is ready for a big season.
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