The NBA offseason has come and gone as NBA Media Day and training camp approach. Nearly three months have passed since the New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA championship.
From championship contenders to rebuilding lottery teams, the NBA saw major changes across the league. Many teams improved, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Sixers made the biggest headlines by adding future Hall of Famer LeBron James and 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs remain among the favorites to win the 2027 championship. However, conversations surrounding the Spurs, Thunder, and Sixers should include a reminder about the defending champion New York Knicks.
The 2025-26 Knicks finished their championship run with a 16-3 playoff record. Despite that dominant postseason, they have arguably been overlooked entering the 2026-27 season. The Knicks are not necessarily underrated, but their absence from the championship favorite conversation deserves a closer look.
The 2025-26 Knicks were not a dominant regular-season team, finishing with 53 wins. However, they played hard and dominated when the games mattered most. Led by 2026 NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, the Knicks enter the new season with a different goal.
Brunson is now looking to accomplish something his team has not done before. He wants to lead the Knicks to back-to-back championships. Accomplishing that goal will be difficult, but it is certainly possible.
The Knicks will open the 2026-27 season at home against the new-look Philadelphia 76ers on October 20. The championship roster will mostly return, with the biggest exceptions being backup big men Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti.
The Knicks added veteran center Andre Drummond as Robinson’s replacement. Drummond is a downgrade from Robinson as a shot blocker, but he remains a strong presence around the rim. He also provides strong rebounding and a more developed offensive skill set.
The Knicks will still need another center to fill the void left by Hukporti. Whether through a trade or another free-agent signing, adding a third-string center would be important for the team’s overall bench depth.
Health was one of the most important factors in the Knicks’ championship run. The starting five remained relatively healthy, with OG Anunoby missing only two games during the second round.
The Knicks must continue prioritizing health throughout the 2026-27 season. All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will carry a heavy offensive workload, but they will need plenty of help from the team’s role players and reserves.
One goal could make a major difference for the Knicks this season. They could develop one of their starting role players into an All-Star.
That task is certainly possible, as the Oklahoma City Thunder accomplished something similar last season. The defending champion Thunder helped starting center Chet Holmgren develop into a first-time All-Star.
The Knicks have players with similar All-Star upside. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges could both take another step offensively during the 2026-27 season.
Establishing a legitimate third All-Star would make the Knicks much more dangerous entering the 2027 NBA playoffs. It would also give Brunson and Towns another reliable offensive option against the Eastern Conference’s best teams.
The Eastern Conference has clearly gotten better, but that does not mean the Knicks cannot improve. New York has enough talent to return to the NBA Finals and compete for another championship.
Repeating will not be easy. There has not been a back-to-back NBA champion since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. The Knicks will still face pressure after winning their championship with a dominant 16-3 postseason record.
However, history should not be used as a reason to count this team out. The Knicks’ core remains relatively young and enters the 2026-27 season during their prime.
Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges are all between 29 and 31 years old. They remain experienced enough to handle pressure while still having plenty of basketball ahead of them.
So, can the New York Knicks repeat as NBA champions in 2026-27? A championship hangover is possible after such a dominant postseason, but this team has already proven it can overcome adversity.
The Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit during the 2026 NBA Finals. That comeback showed the resilience and determination that helped them win their first championship in decades.
The quest to repeat will be difficult, especially with the Eastern Conference becoming stronger. Still, the defending champions have enough talent, experience, and chemistry to make another championship run.
The Knicks should not be counted out. If they remain healthy, develop a third All-Star, and strengthen their center depth, they could have everything needed to become back-to-back NBA champions.
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