We are approaching a month into the 2024-25 NBA season and the Knicks still finding its footing. New York is 4-5 so far with some standout wins among head-scratching losses, a mixed bag of results that should solidify as the season progresses.
While it’s a small sample size, these few games shined a light on this new-look squad and gave their front office and fans some things to consider as the year heats up. Here are four early-season takeaways about the Knicks:
Work in progress
This should come as no surprise, but trading two key starters for an All-Star bringing in a lesser-known skill set the day before training camp will naturally bring an adjustment period with it. Fans were hoping the team would sooner rather than later, but if one thing is evident so far, it’s that these Knicks are a work in progress.
They still haven’t coalesced around a tangible identity, not defending or controlling the possession game like their last two iterations, but also not pumping the pace and three-point volume behind their robust offense. Guys seem to understand their roles, but still fall victim to miscommunication and other expected speed bumps in building chemistry.
All of this was expected, but patience can wear thin with expectations and caliber of talent, and at some point the front office will have to decide if their idealized version of this squad is a few tweaks or a complete overhaul away from being realized. Ultimately, they will be judged by the Knicks’ wins and losses in April and beyond as opposed to these, but tangible progress will ideally be made sooner rather than later.
Karl-Anthony Towns is a generational offensive talent
The preferred return on the Julius Randle-Towns trade is an NBA championship, but in the meantime, fans can rejoice in the Knicks’ acquisition of a truly special scorer who stands out even against the rich history of this franchise. Towns is averaging 24.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 53.2 percent shooting from two, 53.7 percent from three and 87.5 percent from the free throw stripe.
Those effective numbers, especially from three, are nearly unmatched across the league, and we’ve yet to see Towns get fully comfortable with the offense. He only attempted 4.6 threes a night, which would be his lowest mark since 2019, one symptom of Jalen Brunson and his equipment continues to grow accustomed to the game of Towns.
Despite this, Cities has already set up a master class 44 point night in a win against the Miami Heatand scored 30+ in three consecutive outings. His passing was also a huge positive, and we should see more of it implemented into New York’s plans as the season continues.
Josh Hart is certainly not lost
After the shocking blockbusters of the offseason, it looked like Hart might be the odd man out of this Knicks lineup. On paper he looked like the worst starter many fans had hoped for Miles McBride would replace him based on his superior spacing, and he only scored two points in four Knicks preseason games.
That intrigue seems to have resolved itself quickly, as Hart leaned on what he does best: defend, rebound, push and create. He’s averaging 13.8 points, nine rebounds and five assists on 57.3 percent shooting from the field so far, with his impact felt far beyond those numbers.
Hart stepped up to the call of picking up the rebounding lost by dealing Julius Randle and losing most of their center depth, currently second on the team in defensive rebounding rate and third in offensive rebounding percentage. He did well to help push the pace and get his team into offense early, as well as act as a connector in the half court between these dangerous offensive options.
Depth will be a major sticking point
From a star perspective, the Knicks were relatively healthy. However, with injuries to key reserves Precious Achiuwa, Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet and Mitchell Robinsontheir already-dubious depth is even worse. So much so that in their last contest against Indiana, head coach Tom Thibodeau effectively utilized a seven-man rotation, with four starters exceeding 40 minutes in an early November matchup.
As many fans have loudly proclaimed, there are options to help alleviate the usability problem (if not the deep question) as newbies. Tyler Kolek and Pacome Dadietalong with newly signed veteran Matt Ryan. Thibodeau historically values any individual win above most long-term considerations that detract from winning, so experimenting with defensively unproven neophytes or fringe options probably isn’t in the cards.
He may be forced to change his stance based on the current results. Overplaying starters don’t get enough bench minutes and are exhausted by the time the fourth quarters of games come around.
Beyond the short-term challenges, even if the Knicks click, they should pray for a clean bill of health come the postseason if they win four series with eight guys. Although nothing has been reported, it would be surprising if the Knicks were not active before the trade deadline and or waiver market to replenish some talent.
