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By Alex Kirschenbaum
Contributing Entertainment Writer
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With the New York Knicks positioned to finally, possibly break through into true title contender status next spring and summer, the team's best players have been getting acclimated to new head coach Mike Brown's tweaked approach to the game.
Former head coach Tom Thibodeau guided this franchise for the past five seasons, wrapping up 2024-25 with an Eastern Conference Finals appearance, but he was let go this summer. Brown is expected to explore more ball-sharing and switching in his offensive sets.
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New York boasts a deep, talented roster in a very attainable East. Of its most formidable foes last year, only the Cleveland Cavaliers remain relatively intact.
The Boston Celtics have ditched starters Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, allowed free agent bigs Al Horford and Luke Kornet to walk, and will be without six-time All-Star power forward Jayson Tatum for most or all of the year as he recovers from an Achilles tendon tear. All-NBA Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton has already been ruled out for the season with an Achilles rupture of his own, while Indiana let free agent starting center Myles Turner walk, too.
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Facing a fresh opportunity this season, New York is making some tweaks.
The Knicks signed free agent power forward Guerschon Yabusele and guard Jordan Clarkson to guaranteed deals in an effort to bolster their depth, and now have three overqualified non-guaranteed training camp signings competing for roster spots in former Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, 2024-25 Knicks guard Landry Shamet, and wing Garrison Mathews.
A New Role for a Knicks All-Star?
Per Steve Popper of Newsday, five-time Knicks All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns pulled a play from his Minnesota Timberwolves days, losing weight ahead in order to be slotted in more as a power forward.
During the playoffs, Thibodeau exhibited a surprising dexterity, opting to swap out starting shooting guard Josh Hart in favor of center Mitchell Robinson. That move saw Towns transitioning to a power forward role.
When Towns pivoted to being a long-time power forward in Minnesota, it translated to instant on-court success. The Timberwolves went to their first Western Conference Finals in two decades (a feat they would later repeat without Towns the next year), trotting out a lethal defense that helped them knock out the reigning champion Denver Nuggets in a stunning second-round victory.
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Towns' addition in New York helped the Knicks level up on offense, as he moved back into primarily a full-time starting center role. During his Knicks debut last season, the 7-footer out of Kentucky averaged an impressive 24.4 points on .526/.420/.829 shooting splits, a career-high 12.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks in 72 games. He was named to an All-Star and All-NBA team for his efforts.
Now, with Mitchell Robinson healthy heading into the start of the season, the Knicks seem open to moving Towns around a bit.
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