In a massive shift from the rest of this millennium, the Knicks have become an example the NBA’s commissioner cites for smart spending and strong management. “We hear less about this big-small market dynamic than we used to, particularly with this new system we’ve put in place where it’s not just a question of who is willing to pay the greatest luxury tax because there are competitive consequences even if you’re willing to go into the tax,” Adam Silver said Wednesday. “And so we’re seeing in a positive way the effects of strong management.
And you can mention Oklahoma City, they managed to stay competitive. They have their ebbs and flows but an amazingly managed team. And now you’re seeing that with the Knicks as well.
” The Knicks being compared to the resourceful Thunder for sound decisions was unthinkable not too long ago, when New York was finishing a near two-decade span of simultaneously paying the NBA’s highest luxury tax and losing the most games. It was the double whammy of mismanagement. Under former agent Leon Rose, who took over the front office in 2020, the Knicks have operated below the luxury tax every season and reached the playoffs thrice.
They stockpiled draft picks, signed two high-value free agents from Villanova (Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo) and finally took the all-in plunge this summer by sacrificing five first-rounders for Mikal Bridges and re-signing OG Anunoby. The result is a much more expensive roster — the Knicks are pro.
