The New York Knicks are coming off an Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Indiana Pacers and have made many more changes than fans would expect of a team that is in a great position to make another deep playoff run.
With Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton both suffering long-term injuries in the playoffs, the Knicks are in a position to make a Finals push, as the Eastern Conference is wide open.
The Celtics and Pacers both lost stars to Achilles injuries during their 2025 playoff runs.
After Tyrese Haliburton's injury, the Celtics reached out, having gone through a similar situation with Jayson Tatum weeks prior 🙌
H/T @ByJayKing pic.twitter.com/kzMJxuvDkq
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) July 8, 2025
The Knicks have made some big changes, like firing head coach Tom Thibodeau and hiring Mike Brown as his replacement, but have also made a couple of significant roster additions. The Knicks have made sure to keep their core group of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart together, but have brought in Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele to help out their bench.
Knicks 2026 Roster in a wide open east:
PG: Jalen Brunson, Deuce McBride, Tyler Kolek
SG: Mikal Bridges, Jordan Clarkson
SF: Josh Hart, Pacome Dadiet
PF: OG Anunoby, Guershon Yabusele
C: Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, Ariel Hukporti
ECF team last year that got better.
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) July 1, 2025
The Knicks have done a good job of surprisingly getting better from last year, with the exception of a lateral coaching change, but they might not be done yet. The Knicks have roster spots to fill, and a future Hall of Famer is still on the open market.
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4)
Apr 13, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) dribbles against the Houston Rockets in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Russell Westbrook, a 36-year-old point guard, has been sitting in unrestricted free agency since declining his 2025-26 player option with the Denver Nuggets, and it is still up in the air of what team he will sign with.
The Sacramento Kings have been mentioned as the frontrunner to land Westbrook, but the Knicks seem to be in the conversation.
Knicks insider Ian Begley previously reported that there is "mutual interest" between Westbrook and the New York franchise ahead of free agency.
There will be mutual interest between veteran guard Russell Westbrook and the Knicks when free agency opens, as Knicks are one of several teams who will have interest in Westbrook, league sources say. Knicks currently have the $5M tax-payer exception and the veteran's minimum…
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 30, 2025
Another insider, Rachel Nichols, recently talked about how great a fit Westbrook would be in New York and how she would love to see it happen.
"[The Knicks are] a team that needs a guy like him," Nichols said. "That actually has a slot for a guy like him. I think he would flourish in New York. I think New York fans would love him, and I think he would be able to fill that sort of vet energy role really well. They just got to get the rest of the guys on the team to sign on, because this is not a decision that a front office makes alone."
Westbrook is certainly a polarizing player, but his lone season with the Nuggets helped revive his image across the league. It would be great for Westbrook to return to Denver, but the veteran point guard making his way to a big market like New York certainly makes sense.