The Knicks‘ 2025/26 season reached a new low point with Monday’s 17-point home loss to the injury-ravaged Mavericks, writes Steve Popper of Newsday (subscriber link). New York trailed by as many as 30 points in the first half and was down 28 at halftime, when fans at Madison Square Garden “serenaded” the team with boos.
The Knicks have now dropped nine of their past 11 games and are in danger of falling into play-in territory after holding a 23-9 record three weeks ago. In the 10 games leading into Monday, they had the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA, Popper notes.
The team’s effort was particularly dispiriting considering the Knicks had their full complement of players available — Jalen Brunson (right ankle sprain) and Josh Hart (right ankle soreness) both returned to action following injury absences.
“Guys are gonna be banged up, guys aren’t gonna be 100 percent, it’s the dog days of the season,” Hart said, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscription required). “But the effort, I think last year no matter what we did, the effort was there. I haven’t seen this kind of effort that we had today, it was embarrassing.”
Hart admitted prior to the game that his ankle isn’t fully healthy, tweets Ian Begley of SNY.tv.
“I want to be out there to try to help the team as much as I can so (the team’s recent struggles) did (influence his decision) a little bit; a combination of that, there’s the competitiveness and the impatience that I display,” Hart said.
Two weeks ago, owner James Dolan said he expected the team to — at minimum — reach the NBA Finals. He also expressed confidence in the team’s roster and chemistry. The Knicks were promptly blown out by the top-seeded Pistons and have a 2-6 record since that public interview.
Both Popper and Bondy point out that Dolan left his courtside seat at halftime and did not return for the second half. The last time Bondy recalls that happening was during a lopsided loss in 2019, when former executives Scott Perry and Steve Mills were forced to speak to reporters after the game. Then-coach David Fizdale was fired a few days later; Mills was dismissed not long after that.
Bondy isn’t advocating for the team to fire head coach Mike Brown, which he thinks would be “reactionary and ill-advised.” But Bondy does believe a major roster shake-up is in order, and says everyone aside from Brunson and Hart should be available. That includes Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, two players the Knicks acquired in previous blockbuster trades.
Big man Towns, who has struggled to find his form under Brown, was singled out with boos twice in the fourth quarter, per Popper — once when checking out with just under five minutes remaining, and again 29 seconds later when he checked back in for Mitchell Robinson, who picked up two quick fouls.
Towns said he understood the fans’ reaction, considering the Knicks “didn’t really have a chance” to win, as Brian Mahoney of The Associated Press relays.
“Fans are doing their part and we’ve got to do our part,” Towns said.
According to Popper, “whispers” have begun to circulate around the league about the possibility of the Knicks trading Towns, whose name popped up in rumors over the summer involving the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo. League sources tell Popper the Knicks have discussed potential Towns deals with multiple teams, including the Grizzlies, Magic and Hornets.
For what it’s worth, Bondy proposes a fake trade that would send Towns and unspecified salary filler to the Trail Blazers for Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant.
When we make trade proposals, we will have to think about this. Nobody wants inefficient role players with 4 or 5 years contract
A threshold above the luxury tax line with severe penalties, not just taxes, making it feel like a hard cap for high-spending teams.
I brought this up about a week ago, KnickerbockerAl:
KAT (and maybe a low salary bench player) to Lakers for LeBron and either Vincent or Hayes
Knicks keep open the possibility of signing LeBron for 2027 season, for significantly less than his final payout with Lakers, of course.
Neither team, as currently constructed, is meeting expectations this season – especially the Knicks; they should be running away with the East by now.
KAT-Lebron, 1-1, striaght-up, works on the cap space issue.
That or Zach Levine might be the only deals for KAT that could work. I think this is just a blip for the Knicks tho. They’re better than this.
No one wants Bron. Why would you even think of signing him at 43 yrs old. This ain’t golf ……. Update lol …..
No. It’s not golf. But even with how bad this team is LeBron is a better option than KAT for this team.
I’d trade KAT for LeBron in a heartbeat. LeBron is a great leader on the floor and he still is a fantastic player on both ends of the court.
No brainer. If you can do that deal you get it done.
Bron is done. Even Towns plays better D. Why would a contender invest in a guy ready to retire. You have any clue what it takes to play ball after 30. You don’t invest in 40 yr olds.
Oh. Yeah. He’s real done. Averaging 22.6ppg, 50.9%FG, 32.83PA, 5.9reb, 6.9asst with 1.1 steals a game.
There are young promising establish players that would kill for those kind of stats.
And the real laugher isn’t KAT is better on D.
On what planet? Space Jams?
The Knicks need him for one year, one playoff run. They aren’t winning a thing with both KAT and Brown.
You’ve got to be kidding me right? You do understand LeBron James is a negative on the court and every statistic and is plus minus say that. Plus he’s ball dominant. So how are you going to play him in brunson? It would be exactly the same as him and Luka and Luka better than Bronson. Kat is a great player. The problem is he make 56 million of your cap. And the only players that should be making 56 to 60 million is Joker and Shi. Anybody else isn’t really worth that because it’s too much of your cat and those are the only two guys who could really realistically carry your team to the NBA finals. I also maybe say Curry but Curry is kind of out of his Prime so that doesn’t work. Kat just makes too much money and when they made the trade they gave away two mid-cap guys for one full salary guy and the two mid-cap guys equal kat. You can’t make as much as he make and not force double teams which he really doesn’t. You don’t have to double team him. He’s just really good when his shot is going and when his shot isn’t going he just doesn’t do anything else on the court. It affects his entire game
Curry’s stats is pretty elite still and his defense isn’t bad even at his age (albiet he is a smaller guard but he still hustles and moves laterally pretty well). Not sure how it would work with both Brunson and Curry on the floor at the same time though defensively. Offensively it would be amazing.
Not that the Dubs would ever trade him LOL
I don’t even know who the Knicks would offer for Curry that wouldn’t have the fans in revolt. That’s a tough spot for any player to walk into.
This is just silly. Yes consider moving KAT but LeBron is 40 years old and in decline – makes zero sense even for a year
Not sure I agree… any trade involving KAT has to bring in someone who can create his own shot, as you can’t have JB being the only person on the roster able to do so consistently. He also needs to be a plus-or at minimum, average- defender, as having one giant target on the floor for teams to attack can be schemed around. Having two cannot.
I think we need to have the reality that this team is not winning a championship as constructed. We’d definitely need to get creative to find ourselves another playable C, but getting KAT off the books- who has a *61 million dollar* player option in ’28, for LeBron would be a gamble I personally take.
I think Lebron will agree to waive his no-trade clause to go to new york.
I don’t agree with the ball dominant argument, LBJ can play off-ball unlike Luka…
You can hate on Towns all you want. He deserves most of it. You can’t know ball if you think kast yrs starting CENTER in East is worth a 41 yr old Bron.
Knicks have issues. Towns is workable. That’s what you do in real life.
If you think Towns is workable as he spirals downward then you shouldn’t be telling people they don’t know ball. He’s not workable. This team won’t win a thing with him.
Anyone who does what Towns has done in his 11 yr career. Is there for nons like you to trash. Real fans understand that a team is about chemistry and commitment. Considering Towns hasn’t even played a YEAR and HALF on Knicks yet. And they have fired the coach he had his best year EVER under. Knowledge should tell you it’s workable. Even if it’s a trade. So learn the game to have a real argument or conversation. Saying someone sucks only speaks of yourself ……. Towns is a career 23 and 11 big.
Only Embiid has better career numbers.
I don’t even like Towns. Yet a hater like you got answers ……. Why don’t you tell us ALL about him. Instead of just calling him names …
A career 23 pts and 11 reb center. Spirals where
Soeak …..
What an arrogant puerile comment.
Can’t take you seriously.
You know nothing.
If you think Towns is workable as he spirals downward then you shouldn’t be telling people they don’t know ball. He’s not workable. This team won’t win a thing with him.
☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️
And this is full of insight and respect. You want to diss players and posters. And can’t handle when they come for you. Crying out in the open is real manly too ……. Kleenex are on the way 😩🤫
I have zero respect for you put your knowledge of the game. You’re obnoxious and worse you’re wrong.
Mute. Bye.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out ………
Once again the great insight ……. Trash a player. Then can’t handle responses …. 😭😭😭😩😩
Trade for Bron …..
Trade for Curry ……
And Towns sucks …..
Genius 🤫
Towns is great player the metric show it. The problem with Town’s is his contract. I’m not mad at him for taking the money but you can’t win with him taking so much of it up. He doesn’t create double teams but spreads the floor and when focused can really score the rock. He also is a great rebounder. I always don’t agree with al but he brings numbers and analysis so I do respect his takes even if he is wrong. The problem is the fit and contract not the player.
No it’s the player. Let’s not forget how Knicks got Towns. They knew the contract was coming. Best they were going to do for Randle. Another player who wanted to get paid.
Fact is under Thibs Towns doesn’t get away with nonsense. Towns is dissing his coach. By still talking about the offense today. What real baller needs more than preseason to figure it out. You get better with time. Not cry about it.
Towns shooting is down this yr. He is taking 2 fewer shots. Yet his D is what it is. You don’t help him or the team by playing Mitch with him. Take too long to explain that. Fact is if I know him Knicks should too. And they should have gotten a big 4 to play next to him. Not Yabusele. Thats how you help him. That’s how you help your investment. Imo Thibs was too hard on Towns. Probably even wanted to trade him. That’s why he is gone.
None of that matters. We are here today and still a contender in the East. Yabusele is a Rose pickup. Means he clearly doesn’t understand what Towns needs. With TD coming. They have a chance to help Towns. Cause he can’t be traded now. That ship sailed with Thibs. Brown is about to see what NYC is really like. And many feel like I do. That he was downgrade from Thibs.
Booing your own team is stupid. Just leave if you aren’t having a good time. And if booing the home team is fun then that’s a waste of money.
You must never have been to sports game. Do you even realize what you say. Nobody goes to a game to have fun.
Makes no sense trashing a player then ask a team to take him. Towns had his best yr just 6 months ago. NY media has to be the worst. They want to kill a player. Then kill the team for not trading him.
I told you this would happen if Brown didn’t get control. This is what 80% of foreigners don’t get about NYC. They feed off chaos. You have to own them. Not let them lead with the narrative. How long have I been saying what Towns needs ????
Imo Thibs is gone cause he wasn’t a Towns guy. Now these two clowns are figuring it out. But you don’t kill his value. You know who can handle this —
They call him “Mr Thibs” ——
Brown better wake up. They will be coming for him next.
NYK trying to tank?!?!?
Why would you trade your best player???
Brown must go for not implementing the system that works for his players, they should not have to change the way they play for the system, the system must adapt to the players you have, everyone knows that, right?
Well for starters he’s not and for second no team he’s on is ever winning a championship because he has a poor basketball IQ and offers zero rim protection.
Disagree about the bball IQ- sees the court exceptionally well for a big.
…but yeah. Tough to defend well when you have the vertical and lateral quickness of a wheelbarrow.
KAT sucks dude. Empty offensive stats
Minny in West Finals…….
Knicks in East Finals ………
Only four teams do that every year …..
Only thing emoty is your reasoning …..
I’m glad to see the FO is at least talking about KAT with other teams. Realistically, though, KAT will be an off-season issue, not a deadline one.
Absent a big turnaround by him, and by the team, it looks like KAT will not be extended this off season, and thus will likely be traded. Of course, if things keep going the way they have been recently, then he won’t be alone.
Yeah never will get anything now. Imo Thibs wasn’t on board with Towns. That helped getting fired.
Towns is a prima donna. Needs special attention. Don’t know if Brown is best one to get him to play. He is starting to lose the fan base. Towns may not be able to handle what Randle handled.
I don’t much about the Thibs-KAT relationship Part II (Knicks). Very little of it got into the stands so to speak. I think both guys kept it internal.
I can’t imagine Thibs was thrilled with the KAT acquisition (KAT was a potential nightmare for his always top ranked defense). On the other hand, Thibs was about to go into the season without ANY center, and a surplus of F’s, meaning Randle would have needed to play some C. Thibs’ history with KAT was mixed, he did construct a pretty good defense around KAT in their 2nd year together in MIN and they went to the playoffs. Of course, KAT was working harder than he wanted to, and he and Wiggins formed an alliance against Butler and, indirectly, Thibs. I think anything personal was history, but they are still very different people in their perspectives on basketball and life. It would not surprise me if KAT used his FO connections to push to get Thibs’ dismissed. But I’ve never heard or read that.
I’m just looking at him in NY. Thibs worked with him. NY crowd also pushed Towns to play better. He had a good yr. Just we know who he is. Just my opinion about Thibs. The way he is playing now. Wouldn’t happen under Thibs. Says to me he is pushing Brown. Towns is a Rose find. I rather have this team. Than randle team.
Agreed. Thibs would never put KAT in a bad place offensively because he knows the guy is fragile.
I don’t look back on the MIN trade because it made sense when it was made. When I get my crystal ball, I’ll be more critical retrospectively.
Yeah I agree about Minny trade. Just Towns has to be held accountable. Starting to get on my nerves lol. The guy just chks out at times. And that from a leader is just terrible. He is who he is. It’s why I keep pushing for a D 4 to back him up. Imo he is here for his contract.
Really really love KAT’s game but he is bad defensively and he’s never improved at that end of the floor. Brunson is clearly their guy so by defacto I guess your time might be up.
Anyways the only two packages I’d be interested if I was Knicks fan would be
1. KAT for Paolo and Goga
Magic have gone backwards since getting Bane and Paolo has had a poor season. People saying they play better without him etc. KAT would be very interesting for them in a win now move to add more shooting.
For the Knicks Paolo would be massive, he’d be the future of the franchise and he definitely brings the defence. Centre would be a problem area but you can work on it.
2. KAT for Zion Williamson and Kevin Looney plus a first round pick
Zion has always wanted to be in New York and honestly just make it happen. He’s super talented just needs to lock in and stay healthy. Plus you add centre depth and a first.
For the Pelicans maybe you retract the first but they have been in this position forever waiting on Zion but hasn’t come this would be the best return you could ask for. KAT and Queen would be awesome to see, plus you have the talent to compete Trey Murphy, Herb, Poole, Murray and Fears why not make something happen.
Either deal gets you back a player of near equal ability plus a lot younger to become the future of this team and will sell a bunch of tickets
+1 because this is what fake trades are all about: highly unrealistic but a lot of fun to imagine
That part about Dolan was interesting to me, didn’t want to hang around when they’re doing poorly. Personally I think it’s a bad look.
As for KAT, he’s a tier below elite but getting paid elite money. Plenty of dudes like that in the league, just hard to win a ring when one of them is on your team.
They are still paying Thibs, so just insert him instead of Brown.
Jebron Lames & son!
Guys like Towns or Westbrook are always hyped because of their stats (Westbrook) or their Potential (Towns). But you never ever win a championship with those guys if they are you No. 1 or 2 option.
The Late Charley Rosen had a simple word for those players: looser.
But Sure some other team will pay Towns, taking their own lesson in playoff furtility
“Charley Rosen had a simple word for those players: looser. ”
Are you sure that’s a simple word? It isn’t to you.
Or was he saying they need to play “looser”? You gotta stretch these days, soft tissue injuries are no joke!
This team is the 1 seed and a championship favorite if they don’t fire Thibs…..and that’s coming from a Celtics fan.
Nah
Haters can’t comprehend what that means. All they want is failure in life. Takes work every day to have some success lol.
Sure, play better in the regular season and end up burnt out and injured come the playoffs having to rely on depth guys who never got an opportunity to play. Definitely screams championship.
I would take OG to a third team and Knicks get Holiday, Grant, R Williams and Blazers get KAT and salary filler
Portland is 8-2 in their last 10. they are trying to win, don’t want or need KAT, they have Clingan
Bondy just can’t stop playing the fool can he? Its embarrassing when people are that desperate for attention.
You’re writing about him. He’s happy.
What a sad and pathetic goal.
Good luck…
Yes, please get KAT out of town. Last season he couldn’t figure out/fit in Thibs defensive scheme, this year he can’t figure out/fit in Browns offensive scheme. This is a pattern for KAT throughout his career, individual talent that struggles to fit within a team dynamic unless he’s the main focal point of an offence. Defensively he’s consistently shown a lack of effort.
* Laughs in Thibs *
What an overreaction, this team is 3rd in the east but their season reached a “new low point”? Wow
Probably Dolan foolishly putting his thumbs on the scale. He was doing so well for a time doing exactly not that, but I guess old habits die hard.
That being said, some of Town’s deficiencies are well documented and not exactly conducive to winning in the playoffs. Still, I definitely wouldn’t be in a rush to trade him unless a great deal fell in my lap.
raise the banner. all your troubles will go away James.
What about Sabonis? Could they try some sort of Towns for Sabonis trade?
Well-earned mess in NYC. Love to see it.
Reading the posts in this article the only word that jumped into my mind was delusional.
This team was ruined when Leon made two huge trades back to back that gutted the teams trade chips while bringing back only one very good role player and the most overrated player in the league
did anyone see Cade Cunningham make Brunson look like an absolute bum a couple weeks ago? trading KAT is fine, but Brunson is worthless on defense too, and him dribbling the ball 500 times every possession will never result in playoff success. still 3rd in what appears to be a pathetic Eastern Conf this year though.
The Knicks thought surrounding them with three great defenders would be enough, but it’s really, really hard to have a good enough defense when you have two sieves in the starting lineup. One is doable. Two is tough.
Don’t understand why all the hate for this man who is second in the league in rebounding and score more than 20 points a game. IS he the strongest rim protector no- play him with Robinson and see if u get an improved defense
Playing him alongside Robinson helps at the rim, but that only goes so far. Problem with KAT is, he’s bad defensively across the board – Robinson can help inside but he can’t do anything to help defend an opposition that has a PF with range. KAT gets drawn out to the perimeter and he’s absolutely lost out there. Don’t get me started on the pick and roll either.
Teams are too good on offense nowadays to be able to hide bad defenders. Ask Atlanta – it’s why they had to give up Trae for a half eaten sandwich.
Well said. If he was only a bad rim protector that wouldn’t be so bad. But the combo of bad rim protector/screener/perimeter defender/mediocre BBIQ/silly fouling cuts deeper than you’d like for a guy making as much as he does.
Knicks are 25-18 …..
Raptors are 25-19, Sixers 23-18, Magic 23-19,
Cavs 24-20, Heat 22-21
WTF is taking US ……. Both the Pistons and Celtics answer to us till the playoffs. We sent both home.
Magic, Cavs, Heat all underperforming. Up until this point. Yet we only got a criteria for the Knicks LMAO
No doubt Knicks need to regroup. Even a trade or Big trade. We ain’t going anywhere but to East Finals. So get ready for it. Nobody wins anything in January. So tell us all about the Knicks ……..
Package KAT to Nets for Wolf.
I have a great idea!
Fire Mike Brown and hire Tom Thibedoue
He’s still under contract to Knicks ….. huh
Time for Brown to man up. He inherited an East Finals team. What are you doing ????