New York Knicks Enter 2026-27 Season With Championship Core Intact

Posted : 21 September 2026

The New York Knicks head into the 2026-27 NBA season seeking to defend their championship after ending a 53-year title drought last season. New York defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the NBA Finals to claim its first championship since 1973.

The Knicks have largely preserved the group that delivered the historic title. Their starting five remains under contract, giving the team continuity around Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The major change came at center, where Mitchell Robinson left in free agency for the Boston Celtics. New York moved to address the position by signing Andre Drummond, who will provide depth behind Towns.

New York also retained several important reserve players. Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet and Mohamed Diawara are all returning, helping the Knicks maintain much of the rotation that contributed during their championship run.

The decision to let Robinson depart was connected to New York's efforts to remain below the NBA's second-apron threshold. While the roster remains largely intact, the loss of Robinson changes the team's options in the frontcourt and puts greater responsibility on Towns and the remaining centers.

New York's championship season was built on a strong postseason performance. The Knicks went 16-3 through the playoffs and won the Finals after overcoming several double-digit deficits during their run to the title.

One of the key issues heading into the new campaign will be whether the Knicks can maintain their postseason defensive effectiveness. During last season's playoffs, they held opponents to a league-low 31% from three-point range, although the quality of the shots they allowed suggested that figure could move closer to league norms.

Health will also be important for New York. The team's five starters remained available for most of last season, but Towns' workload will be closely watched after he played 75 regular-season games, his highest total since 2018-19. Robinson's departure could make any extended absence from Towns more significant.

The Knicks enter the season with a roster designed to build on last year's championship rather than undergo a major overhaul. Their ability to keep most of their core together gives them a familiar foundation as they begin their title defence.

New York Knicks Enter 2026-27 Season With Championship Core Intact

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