A couple of months ago when the playoffs started, the pressure was about whether the Knicks could capitalize on a favorable Eastern Conference. They answered that question by reaching their first NBA Finals since 1999. But now a different question emerges: If the Knicks don’t finish the job this year, when exactly will they get another opportunity this good? Throughout this playoff run, I’ve argued that no team faced more pressure than the Knicks. After making their first NBA Finals since 1999, some of that pressure has been lifted. But not all of it.
The Pressure Has Changed, But It Hasn’t Disappeared
Entering the playoffs, the pressure was about proving they were contenders and can take advantage of a weaker Eastern conference. They have now done that.
Now, the pressure comes from simply the rarity of a Finals appearance. As I mentioned, it has been 27 years since they’ve been here, and there is no guarantee you are going to get back anytime soon. So the pressure now is from the opportunity itself. You are just 4 wins from winning the NBA Finals. A feat the Knicks have not accomplished since 1973. The NBA is used to having dynasties in their league. However, this will mark the 8th consecutive season we will have a new NBA champion without a repeat. So how good are the Knicks odds to see another Finals with this specific roster intact?
I’m a Packers fan as well, and they won the Super Bowl in the 2010 season. After seeing Aaron Rodgers play one of the best seasons I’ve ever seen a QB play in 2011, the season after that Super Bowl win, I remember thinking this team will certainly be back at least one more time with Rodgers at the helm. 4 straight NFC Championship losses later, I have not seen my beloved Packers back in the Super Bowl again. Absolutely nothing is guaranteed in sports. So the pressure now is, can you capitalize on this opportunity if you’re the Knicks.
The East Isn’t Going to Stay This Open Forever
The East has been the weaker conference for quite a while now, but this season was particularly weak. The Celtics didn’t have Tatum for most of the season, and they still earned the 2-seed in the conference. Now he will be back for a full offseason with something to prove after a disappointing Round 1 exit for his team. The Celtics were actually the favorites to win the East even this season entering the playoffs. The Pacers, who beat the Knicks in the ECF last season, lost their best player Tyrese Haliburton. He will be back next year. So the East was especially vulnerable this season.
And now you have a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade looming. Say he goes to a team like the Heat, who are always dangerous when a star becomes available, you may now need to worry about them too. Giannis is the type of player who could reshape the conference overnight depending where he goes and if he does stay in the East. Which I assume he would even prefer over the loaded West.
Then you have young teams in the East like the Pistons (who were already the 1-seed this year), Raptors, Magic, and Hornets who should only continue to improve. The point is, the East won’t necessarily be this accommodating again.
This Roster Won’t Stay Together Forever
Jalen Brunson took a $100 million (!!) pay cut in 2024 compared to what he could have gotten in 2025. That saved cap space was used to trade for KAT and Mikal Bridges, and also allowed them to extend OG Anunoby. I don’t think Brunson wants to play anywhere but New York, but he does have a player option for the 28-29 season. I assume the Knicks aren’t gonna wanna wait around to see if he declines that to become an unrestricted free agent. So if the Knicks extend him before that time comes, will he be as generous again? And even if he does take another pay cut, it is still very unlikely you are able to continue extending this core four of Brunson, KAT, Anunoby, and Bridges given the new cap rules. The Knicks already had the 2nd highest payroll for this season.
And I’m not saying these guys are old, but Brunson and Bridges both turn 30 in August, KAT is already 30, and Anunoby turns 29 in July. Still all in their prime, sure, but also not 25 anymore either. Future flexibility was reduced given all the picks given up for Bridges and KAT too. Kind of adding even more pressure knowing you mortgaged some of your future for this opportunity.
The Knicks built this roster for right now. That’s not criticism. That’s exactly what contenders are supposed to do. But when you do build for now, you have to recognize that “now” eventually ends.
This Is Why Championships Matter
Even though there is pressure, I’m not trying to say Knicks fans should be miserable if they lose. Reaching the Finals matters and is a huge accomplishment. So you can say this season has already been a success for the Knicks.
BUT, championship opportunities are precious. You may never see this version of the Knicks in the Finals again. And who knows when they will get back to this stage again. The East should certainly improve from what it was this year, and rosters like this are very difficult to keep together for the long haul. Nobody should pretend like this Finals appearance doesn’t matter. But nobody should act like another appearance is guaranteed either.
The pressure isn’t the same as it was in Round 1. The Knicks have already proven they’re contenders and delivered a season fans will remember for a long time, even setting some playoff records along the way. But opportunities like this don’t come around often. The East will change. Rosters will change. Circumstances will change.
That’s why the question still lingers over this Finals matchup for the Knicks:
If not now, when?
Have a take on this? Leave a comment below.