The Knicks are riding high after an electric win over the Spurs to capture the NBA Cup, but their sights are still set on the ultimate prize: the NBA Finals. And while the tournament victory is a milestone worth celebrating, the front office isn’t letting it distract from the bigger picture. According to reports, Knicks president Leon Rose and his team are content with the current roster-for now.
“As we sit here today, the Knicks are not in a rush to make a huge deal,” noted NBA insider Ian Begley.
That doesn’t mean the Knicks are completely standing pat. There’s still some quiet buzz around potential upgrades, especially in the backcourt and frontcourt depth.
One name that keeps surfacing is Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado. If New Orleans makes him available, New York is expected to be among the interested teams.
Alvarado’s defensive tenacity and energy would fit nicely with the Knicks’ gritty identity.
Another guard who could be on the Knicks’ radar is Dennis Schroder-if the Kings decide to move him. Schroder brings playoff experience and a steady hand, but his larger contract and veteran status could complicate any trade scenarios. It’s the kind of move that would require some cap gymnastics, especially for a Knicks team that’s already pretty locked in financially.
Frontcourt depth is another area of interest, particularly with Mitchell Robinson’s injury history. The Knicks have reportedly shown interest in Sixers backup Andre Drummond in the past. Drummond may not be the player he once was, but he still offers rebounding and physicality-exactly the kind of insurance policy that could be useful in a long playoff run.
But let’s not bury the headline: Jalen Brunson continues to prove he’s the heartbeat of this team. After being named MVP of the NBA Cup tournament-joining elite company in LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo-Brunson used the moment not to soak in individual glory, but to shine a light on his teammates.
“Can I say something?” Brunson said postgame.
“OG Anunoby, Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, Mitchell Robinson, they played their [butts] off tonight. Without them, we don’t win this.
We got down 10, whatever it was, and we found a way to win. That’s it.
That’s going to be our motto going forward. We’re going to find a way.”
That kind of leadership doesn’t go unnoticed. Head coach Mike Brown praised Brunson not just for his performance, but for the way he carries himself.
“He’s an unbelievable competitor, but an unbelievable teammate,” Brown said. “I’ve been around those guys.
You’re talking about Tim Duncan, Steph Curry, those guys, [De’Aaron Fox, James]. Those guys all mention their teammates because bang, bang, bang, they know this is a team sport at the end of the day.”
That team-first mentality is exactly what’s fueling this Knicks squad. Tuesday’s win wasn’t just about hoisting a trophy-it was a proof of concept. Leon Rose’s offseason strategy was all about depth, and against the Spurs, that investment paid off.
Jordan Clarkson and rookie Tyler Kolek came off the bench and combined for 29 points, hitting five of their 12 attempts from deep. That kind of production from the second unit is what the Knicks lacked in last year’s playoff run. Even without Miles McBride and Landry Shamet, the bench showed it could hold its own-and then some.
Mitchell Robinson, meanwhile, reminded everyone why he’s such a valuable presence in the paint. Ten offensive boards, two blocks, and multiple disruptions of Victor Wembanyama’s drives-Robinson was a force. His ability to control the glass and alter shots gave the Knicks the edge they needed in the game’s most critical stretches.
It’s no coincidence that this win came against the team that beat the Thunder for just their second loss of the season. That’s the kind of statement game that gets noticed around the league. And while the Knicks won’t be raising a banner for their tournament title, they’re taking home something even more valuable: legitimacy.
They’ve shown they can close out tough games, win with their bench, and go toe-to-toe with elite teams. This isn’t just a feel-good moment in December-it’s a sign that the Knicks are serious players in the championship conversation. The NBA Cup may be in the trophy case, but the mission is far from over.
Next up? A rematch with the Pacers-a team that exposed some of the Knicks’ weaknesses earlier in the season. But if Tuesday was any indication, this version of the Knicks is more prepared, more balanced, and more dangerous.