The confetti is still in the air. The glorious feeling of the Knicks securing their first NBA title in 53 years is still fresh. Highlights of the Knicks’ ticker-tape parade are still circulating online.
There’s no reason the Knicks shouldn’t bask in the flow of this historic moment for a little longer. They’ve earned it. It’s only been a little over a week since the team notched the NBA championship, their first since 1973. But, eventually, they’ll have to come down from that high and face the reality of another season ahead.
How sweet would it be for the Knicks to repeat their NBA championship and win it for two seasons in a row? It’s possible. But it’s certainly not promised.
3 Things the Knicks Need to Do to Repeat as NBA Champions
Keep New York’s Key Talent Locked In
One of the ways the Knicks won this championship was, of course, by relying on strong talent, both veterans and rookies. These front-office decisions will be key to seeing the Knicks repeat their success.
Too often, the team that wins the NBA title loses talent and quickly declines. Just look at the Nuggets going from NBA champions in 2023 to being eliminated early in the NBA playoff run in the Western Conference First Round, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Knicks don’t want that to happen. The front office’s job during the offseason is to juggle keeping key players while still paying for other very important pieces of the roster puzzle.
Nobody says this is going to be easy. It won’t. President Leon Rose has a difficult job re-signing key players, including the core roster, while keeping the salary cap in check.
Forget the Noise
The Knicks just won the NBA title, but they’re already underdogs for next season. It seems unfair, but it’s the reality. According to ESPN, oddsmakers at DraftKings and other sportsbooks report the Knicks are currently trailing the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in 2027 title odds.
It’s frustrating for a team that just blew the competition out of the water and won an NBA title in five games. But, at the same time, the Knicks are used to being the underdogs. They weren’t really expected to win the title in 2026, so having that same projection in 2027 shouldn’t be a hurdle.
In the future, the Knicks, of course, have to focus on star players, such as Jalen Brunson. But they also have to stay mentally strong and put in earplugs when the noise gets loud. There will always be naysayers, even after winning the championship. What makes the difference is how the Knicks deal with being the underdog and the persistent belief that other teams have a better chance of winning than they do.
Keep the Same Philosophy as the Knicks Had in 2026
One of the best things head coach Mike Brown did with this team was improve the depth of New York’s roster. Because of Brown’s moves, the Knicks have one of the deeper rosters in the NBA, and don’t kid yourself. That’s partly why they won the NBA title.
The Knicks have to continue building bench depth, partly through the NBA draft, to keep their star players fresh and rested. However, it’s not all about depth. Even with a deeper bench, key starters can clock heavy minutes. Just look at Brunson playing 45 minutes in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. So, Brown has to continue his efficient coaching and bench optimization in the 2026-27 season. If the Knicks can make these key moves going forward, they have a real chance to repeat as NBA champions.
Brad Penner, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
