NBASep 26
Knicks Keep Championship Core Together as Repeat Bid Takes Shape
New York enters 2026-27 with its starting lineup intact, but a change at backup center and the challenge of sustaining postseason success leave questions for the defending champions.
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Continuity leads the title defense
After ending a 53-year championship wait in 2026, the Knicks approach their title defense with much of the roster that delivered the breakthrough still in place. All five starters return, along with nine of the top 10 players from their playoff rotation. Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet and Mohamed Diawara stayed in New York, preserving valuable depth. That continuity gives the Knicks a strong foundation as they try to become the NBA’s first repeat champion in eight seasons against an increasingly competitive Eastern Conference.
Center depth takes a different shape
Keeping the roster together had financial limits. Owner James Dolan’s commitment to avoiding the second apron helped set the stage for Mitchell Robinson’s departure to Boston, which offered more than $15 million per season. Andre Drummond arrives to back up Karl-Anthony Towns, making the reserve center position a key area to watch. Towns played 75 games last season, his highest total since 2018-19, and any increased absence would test a frontcourt now without Robinson. Towns also enters camp eligible for a four-year, $272 million extension, with a $61 million player option for 2027-28.
Can the playoff formula hold?
Mike Brown’s offense gained another dimension when Towns became more involved as a postseason distributor. New York led the playoffs in offensive rating at 120.4 points per 100 possessions, offering a blueprint worth carrying forward. Shooting results may be harder to reproduce. The Knicks led the 2026 postseason in 3-point shooting while holding opponents to 31% from outside. The quality of those opposing attempts suggested a figure closer to 36%, leaving room for less favorable results. The core remains capable of another deep run. Maintaining health and offensive cohesion will matter as New York shifts from chasing a championship to defending one.
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