The New York Knicks had a busy offseason, adding key depth pieces to round out their roster. While Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele are expected to have big roles off the bench, the biggest change was on the sidelines.
The Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons, bringing in Mike Brown to lead the way. Thibodeau led the Knicks to their first Conference Finals appearance since 2000, although he fell short of the expectations.
Brown is expected to promote a well-rounded offense with more motion. Thibodeau relied on Jalen Brunson to start and end most possessions. Brown, on the other hand, is expected to get everyone involved.
Not all of the players are thrilled by the change.
GettyKarl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks celebrates a basket against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2025 in New York City.
Karl-Anthony Towns Doubts Knicks’ Change
Last season, Karl-Anthony Towns had one of the best seasons of his career. He averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. He shot 42% from deep and 52.6% from the floor, making the All-NBA team.
Towns won the second-most games of his career and finished with a 27.4% usage rate. With Brown looking to disperse scoring more evenly, Towns’ numbers will likely take a hit, and team success is not guaranteed.
“We’re all figuring it out,” he told The Athletic’s James Edwards III about the new offensive schemes. “It’s just different. We’re still figuring it out.”
Towns added that he “doesn’t know” about the scoring potential of the team.
In the Knicks’ defense, Towns, Mitchell Robinson, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart have all missed significant time in the preseason, limiting in-game reps before the season kicks off on October 21.
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – APRIL 27: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks reacts after a three point basket against the Detroit Pistons in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on April 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
New York Knicks Expected to Maximize Towns
While Brown might favor Mikal Bridges or Anunoby a bit more than Thibodeau did, that won’t come at Towns’ expense.
Last season, Towns thrived in the pick-and-pop with Brunson. However, the Knicks’ defense took a massive step back. In 2023-24, when Isaiah Hartenstein held down the paint, the Knicks boasted the tenth-best defense. Last year, that fell to 14th in the NBA.
Towns is not a high-level shot-blocker or rim protector. However, Robinson is, and Brown is expected to elevate him to the starting lineup.
For the most part, Brunson and Towns can run the offense with the same effectiveness as last season, and Robinson can mask Towns’ weaknesses, similar to how Rudy Gobert thrived when they shared the court in Minnesota.
Hopefully, as the season kicks off and the Knicks get to see some real action, Brown’s offensive schemes will take hold, allowing the Knicks to get off to a hot start.
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