Stephen A. Smith says there’s growing tension around the Knicks’ possible White House visit, and he put James Dolan right in the middle of it.
On the Oct. 28, 2026, edition of First Take, Smith said he had heard the Knicks’ owner was unhappy about players not wanting to make the traditional trip to Washington, D.C. after winning the championship. Smith made clear he couldn’t verify everything behind the rumor, but he also didn’t dismiss it.
“People have been a little bit stressed because the owner, James Dolan, has an attitude with players because they don't want to go to the White House,” Smith said. “I don't know whether this is true or not, but I'll believe anything when it comes to James Dolan because he is a walking embodiment of petulance. This man is as petty as they come.”
Smith also said he is “concerned” the situation could affect Dolan’s outlook, even after the Knicks captured their first title since he took over the franchise. In Smith’s view, Dolan could be willing to hold onto the issue if the players block the visit.
The backdrop here is simple: the White House visit has become a live question for the Knicks ever since their championship run. Dolan is a friend of Trump, and the two were seated together during Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals, which was the only game New York lost in the series. That makes it even more likely, Smith suggested, that Dolan would want the team to make the visit.
The reporting around the team’s stance has pointed in another direction, though. Jalen Brunson previously said it would be a team decision, and it does not sound like the players are unified behind going.
"The owner James Dolan has an attitude with players because they don't want to go to the White House" – Stephen A. Smith on what he's hearing about the New York Knicks pic.twitter.com/ufJtKvqPjK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 28, 2026
That uncertainty came after Dolan said the team accepted the invitation days after winning the NBA Finals. Fans are left waiting to see how it all plays out.
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