Back before the 2025 playoffs tipped off, Kevin O’Connor and Danny Parkins weren’t buying the Knicks as contenders. Parkins even pointed out they had zero wins against Boston or Cleveland and a brutal 1-10 record against teams above them. Fast forward, though—Tom Thibodeau had them locked in, finishing 51–31 and shocking the defending champs, the Celtics, to reach their first East Finals since 2000. But then they were eventually knocked out by the Pacers. And now, with a new season about to begin, a certain NBA champion swears this is finally the year the Knicks win it all.

Kendrick Perkins didn’t hold back on NBA Today when asked about the Knicks’ place in the East. “To me, they’re the best team in the Eastern Conference,” he said, before breaking it down. Perkins pointed out the Celtics are “somewhat in the rebuild mode,” the Cavs aren’t trustworthy, and that New York has something the rest don’t. “I trust big body Brunson as the leader of that ball club, and they address the issues that they needed to address. You go and you get some bench players that’s going to come in and play their role while still keeping your entire core together.” That core, by the way, just doubled down with Brunson already under contract, Mikal Bridges extended, and a blockbuster trade for Karl-Anthony Towns, now looking more comfortable in year 2.

The Towns trade isn’t just about picking up a stretch big. In 2024-25, Karl-Anthony Towns put up 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds a night while hitting better than 42% from deep, numbers that force defenses to stretch out in ways the Knicks hadn’t been able to fully take advantage of until now. And Brunson?

He’s making the faith look justified. Fresh off an All-NBA Second Team nod and the 2025 Clutch Player of the Year award, he averaged 26.0 points, 7.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and nearly a steal a night across 65 regular-season games. NBA.com’s Shaun Powell even ranked him as the East’s second-best player, noting, “Back-to-back appointments to the All-NBA team certify him as one of the league’s best point guards. He also earned some 2025 MVP votes and is the reigning Clutch Player of the Year. What more evidence does he need?”

With Jayson Tatum sidelined by a torn Achilles and Joel Embiid still battling injuries, it’s no surprise Brunson is climbing right behind Giannis in the East’s pecking order, especially after torching the playoffs with 29.4 points a game over 18 outings.

Perkins went even deeper, saying he expects Mike Brown to bring out the “best version” of himself while unlocking the talent around him. He spotlighted Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges and added that Josh Hart will return “on a mission,” while KAT could thrive with “a new voice of their locker room in Mike Brown.” But he also shouted out OG Anunoby, noting, “We know what he’s going to bring to the table for us, being that three-and-D guy, at times he looked like Scottie Pippen.”

Scottie Pippen was the ultimate 3-and-D prototype before the term even existed. With a career 32.6% from three and legendary defense, including eight straight All-Defensive First Team nods (1992–99), he could stretch the floor while locking down the league’s best players. Add in his 125.1 career win shares, and it’s clear he was one of the greatest two-way players ever. And if you’re looking for the definition of a modern 3-and-D player, OG Anunoby’s 2024-25 season with the Knicks is a pretty perfect case study. The numbers tell you why.

OG shot 37.2% from three; on top of that, his 2.8 defensive win shares (DWS) show just how much he tilts games on the other end with his length, instincts, and versatility. Now mix that with his defensive presence; OG isn’t just about steals and deflections; his block rate (2.2%) is strong for a wing, which highlights his ability to rotate over and contest at the rim.

He gives you 18 points per game on efficient 47.6% shooting, while still locking down the opponent’s best scorer night after night. And that is why earlier this season, OG Anunoby made it clear that he sees himself in both the All-Defensive Team and Defensive Player of the Year conversations. He’s already proven that potential once before, earning All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2023 during his time with the Raptors. In 2024-25, he moreover logged career highs in minutes played (36.6 per game) and shot efficiency, showing more consistency than in previous campaigns.

Knicks Add Malcolm Brogdon to Bolster Non-Jalen Brunson Minutes

The Knicks just added some veteran punch to their backcourt, as Malcolm Brogdon has agreed to a one-year deal, his agent Sam Permut told ESPN. Entering his 10th NBA season, the former Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year brings depth, steady playmaking, and much-needed insurance behind Jalen Brunson. He joins Landry Shamet, who also signed a one-year deal, as part of the Knicks’ effort to round out Mike Brown’s first roster in New York.

Brogdon, 32, is coming off a rough season with the Washington Wizards, where he played just 24 games and averaged 12.7 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds while shooting a career-worst 29% from three. But don’t let last year fool you  across 2022-23 and 2023-24, he hit 43% from deep, ranking fourth in the league among players who attempted at least 300 threes. That kind of shooting touch, paired with his ability to run an offense off the bench, is exactly what the Knicks were missing behind Brunson last season. With Jordan Clarkson already in the mix, the Knicks finally have reliable scoring and playmaking options to give their star point guard a breather. This move comes alongside the re-signing of Shamet and the addition of Jordan Clarkson, making for a deeper guard rotation than in previous years.

There is one wrinkle, though. Ian Begley of SNY reports Brogdon’s deal is non-guaranteed, meaning his roster spot isn’t locked in. The Knicks will either need to make a trade or decide between Brogdon and Shamet when finalizing their guard rotation. Also, there is a potential logjam: with Brunson, Brogdon, Clarkson, Shamet, and Miles “Deuce” McBride all in the mix, young players like Tyler Kolek may have limited opportunities, which could lead to a trade or reduced development minutes.

Still, with his résumé: Rookie of the Year in 2016-17, Sixth Man of the Year in 2022-23, and stints with Milwaukee, Indiana, Boston, Portland, and Washington — Brogdon brings proven value. If he sticks, he could be one of those under-the-radar signings that makes a big difference when the Knicks hit the grind of the season.