New York Knicks 2024-2025 fantasy basketball season recap: Karl-Anthony Towns shines in NYC debut

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2 days ago

While the NBA Playoffs are in full swing, now is a good time to recap the fantasy basketball season for all 30 teams.
In the following weeks, we will provide a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the NBA champion in June.
Next up are the New York Knicks, who made significant changes after a second-round exit in last season's playoffs. The first move was to add another Villanova alum to the roster, acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Nets in exchange for a package that included five future first-round picks. Lead executive Leon Rose wasn't finished either, sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks would go on to record a second straight 50-win season, the first time they've done so since the mid-90s, and reach the conference finals for the first time since 2000.
New York Knicks 2024-2025 Season Recap
Record: 51-31 (3rd, East)
Offensive Rating: 117.3 (5th)
Defensive Rating: 113.3 (13th)
Net Rating: 4.0 (8th)
Pace: 97.64 (26th)
2025 NBA Draft Picks: 50
With the additions of Bridges and Towns, the Knicks boasted what was expected to be one of the best starting fives in the NBA. And that's how things played out for a while, but there was a shift during the latter stages of the regular season. After the All-Star break, New York's net rating of 0.3 ranked 18th in the NBA, due mainly to a sharp decrease in the team's offensive rating. Ranked second in that category before the break, the Knicks were 22nd in offensive rating after.
Still, the Knicks managed to win 51 games and earn the 3-seed in the East, with Towns (third team) and Jalen Brunson (second team) earning All-NBA honors. After battling through a six-game series with Detroit and Boston, New York faced long-time nemesis Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals. After shockingly blowing Game 1, the team's lack of depth and penchant for committing turnovers proved costly, as the Pacers won the series in six games. Rose and company now head into a critical offseason for the franchise, as the Knicks need to strengthen their bench, especially when considering the depth of the two teams in the NBA Finals.
That said, with Boston due to be without Jayson Tatum for most of next season due to his ruptured Achilles tendon, the Knicks will likely be viewed as one of the preseason favorites in the East. Whether or not they make good on those expectations will depend on what the front office does this offseason.
Fantasy Standout: Karl-Anthony Towns
With the move from Minnesota to New York, many fantasy managers expected Towns' fantasy value to spike this season. With Mitchell Robinson unavailable due to offseason ankle surgery, KAT was the lone big in the Knicks' starting lineup, and he flourished offensively. Appearing in 72 games, he averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers in 35.0 minutes. In addition to recording a career-best rebounding average, Towns matched his previous high in steals (2021-22). That was also the last season in which Towns played at least 70 games.
KAT did have to deal with a left knee injury down the stretch that lingered into the postseason, but availability was not an issue. Towns scored at least 30 points in 22 games, which included five games of 40 or more, led by a 46-point effort in a November 13 loss to the Bulls. Entering the season with a Yahoo! ADP of 19, KAT exceeded those expectations, providing top-10 value in eight- and nine-cat formats, and he was a top-5 player regarding total value. While there have been some early questions in the immediate aftermath of the Knicks' elimination from the playoffs, he had an outstanding debut season in the Big Apple. Towns should be a first-round pick in fantasy drafts in the fall.
Fantasy Revelation: OG Anunoby
While few questioned Anunoby's ability to be a quality asset for their fantasy teams, the consensus was that he would be a middle-round pick. He finished his first season with the Knicks ranked just outside the top-75 in per-game value and entered the 2024-25 campaign with a Yahoo! ADP of 80. Availability issues in the past impacted his draft position, with Anunoby exceeding 65 regular-season appearances once since the 2019-20 season. Not only did OG appear in 74 games, but this was also his most productive offensive season as a pro.
Shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 81.0 percent from the foul line, Anunoby averaged 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.3 three-pointers in 36.6 minutes. Recording a career-high scoring average, he was a top-40 player in nine-cat formats and sat just outside the top-50 in eight-cat formats. Anunoby had 32 games in which he scored at least 20 points, nearly triple his 2023-24 total (11), including a 40-point effort in New York's November 25 blowout of the Nuggets. OG has provided top-50 value in three of his last five seasons, but there were questions following the additions of Towns and Bridges. There should be no such concerns heading into drafts next fall.
Fantasy Disappointment: Mikal Bridges
Unfortunately for Bridges, the haul New York gave up to acquire him was something that would be cited throughout his first season with the Knicks. While his first full season with the Nets was not as productive as many fantasy managers anticipated, the feeling was that the slender wing would be able to provide top-50 value, or at least approach it. That would not be the case, as Bridges got off to a slow start and ultimately failed to crack the top-75 in eight- or nine-cat formats. Once again appearing in all 82 games, he averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers in 37.0 minutes, shooting 50 percent from the field and 81.4 percent from the foul line.
Those aren't bad numbers by any stretch of the imagination, and Bridges being dependable from an availability standpoint raises his fantasy floor. That said, more was expected from the newest member of the Knicks' 'WingStop' trio. His average of 1.4 free throw attempts per game was the lowest for Bridges since his rookie season, and that was also the last time he shot as poorly from three as he did in 2024-25. Eligible for a contract extension this summer, Bridges' role with the Knicks is unlikely to change much if the front office does not make any significant moves. The hope is that he'll be more comfortable offensively, thus improving his fantasy value after it slipped in 2024-25.
Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads
Jalen Brunson
Brunson's fantasy ranking illustrates the difference between actual player value and fantasy basketball value. No one in their right mind would say that Brunson's 2024-25 season was disappointing, given his numbers and achievements, which included a second-team All-NBA selection and starting in the All-Star Game for the first time. However, he had a Yahoo! ADP of 19, meaning that many fantasy managers projected him to be something close to a cornerstone for their rosters. Brunson finished with averages of 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.3 three-pointers in 35.4 minutes, shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 82.1 percent from the foul line.
Those numbers were good enough for top-50 value in eight- and nine-cat formats, with the Knicks captain appearing in 65 games. The most significant issue for fantasy managers was the unfortunate timing of his lone extended absence, with a right ankle injury sidelining Brunson for 15 games in March and April. There were moments during the postseason in which Brunson appeared to tweak his ankle, but he did not miss any time. While some may be hesitant to use a top-20 pick on Brunson again, especially if the Knicks don't make any significant moves in the offseason, he's worth the risk.
Josh Hart
With the addition of Bridges and Towns to the Knicks' starting lineup, Hart was the player many expected to take the most significant hit to his fantasy value. The rugged wing entered the season with a Yahoo! ADP of 116, a clear sign that fantasy managers did not expect much more than late-round value. Averaging a career-high 37.6 minutes per game during the regular season, Hart contributed 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 three-pointers, shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 77.6 percent from the foul line. His nine triple-doubles broke a Knicks' single-season franchise record previously held by Walt 'Clyde' Frazier, and Hart finished as a third-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats.
However, the lackluster perimeter shooting and turnovers proved problematic during the postseason, especially in the Eastern Conference Finals. Hart was replaced in the starting lineup by Mitchell Robinson ahead of Game 3 and would come off the bench in each of the final four contests. While Hart hit double digits in rebounds in three of those reserve appearances and recorded two double-doubles, his impact in that series was muted. Was the move to the bench a sign of what's to come in 2025-26? Regardless of the answer, Hart's draft position is unlikely to match his 2024-25 output, but coming off the bench will likely lower his fantasy ceiling.
Mitchell Robinson
After a second surgery on his right ankle last May, Robinson was not ready to begin the 2024-25 season. That factored into the Knicks' decision to get the Towns trade completed, as the team would have gone into training camp with Precious Achiuwa and rookie Ariel Hukporti as its healthy options at the center position. Robinson did not make his first appearance of the season until February 28 against the Grizzlies, surpassing 20 minutes twice in his first 14 outings. His impact as an offensive rebounder and defender gave the Knicks a welcome boost during the postseason. Still, his poor foul shooting made the 7-footer a target for intentional fouls, especially in the Boston series.
While he was not much of a help to fantasy managers after returning from injury, providing top-150 value in nine-cat formats, it's easy to envision a scenario in which Robinson figures more prominently in the Knicks' rotation next season. He replaced Hart in the starting lineup for the final four games of the conference finals, giving New York a much-needed boost on the offensive glass and the defensive end of the floor. However, the limitations make Robinson a player best suited for rosters that can either absorb his poor foul shooting or punt that category outright.
Miles McBride
McBride was projected to be the Knicks' most valuable reserve this season, and that's how things played out. In 64 games, he averaged 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.8 three-pointers in 24.9 minutes, with each of those numbers being career-highs. Deuce started 10 games, most occurring while the Knicks were without Brunson, before a groin injury sidelined him for eight games in late-March/early April. While he did exceed his Yahoo! ADP of 144 in nine-cat formats, there was the feeling that something was left on the table, through no fault of McBride's.
really is almost unbelievable that Thibs played Deuce McBride alongside the other 4 starters (in place of Hart) for LESS THAN 50 minutes the ENTIRE season (playoffs and regular season combined)
seems impossible. somehow it's true
As the limitations of New York's starting lineup rose to the surface during the second half of the regular season, that did not result in McBride getting more time with the team's top four scorers. And that was before Brunson went down with his ankle injury. And when Thibodeau decided to change the starting lineup in the conference finals, he went with rebounding/defense (Robinson) to replace Josh Hart instead of McBride, who could have added more scoring. McBride is the lone rotation reserve under contract for next season, so his role is unlikely to change much. He'll remain a late-round option in standard leagues.
Precious Achiuwa
After hitting free agency following a solid run with the Knicks last season, Achiuwa inked a one-year deal with the team in late July. While it appeared that he could be in for a more prominent role due to Mitchell Robinson's offseason ankle surgery, things would not play out that way. The addition of Towns gave the Knicks a needed boost of talent at the center position, relegating Achiuwa to a reserve role on most nights. He made 10 starts, finishing the regular season with averages of 6.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks in 20.5 minutes, shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 59.4 percent from the foul line.
Along with fellow reserves Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet and Delon Wright, Achiuwa will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. While there will likely be a desire for a more prominent role somewhere, that may not be in the cards. Achiuwa returning to New York would mean another season in which he doesn't offer much beyond streaming value when one of the preferred big men isn't available to play.
Restricted Free Agents: MarJon Beauchamp, Kevin McCullar Jr., Anton Watson
Unrestricted Free Agents: Precious Achiuwa, Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, Delon Wright
Team Option: P.J. Tucker, Ariel Hukporti