The New York Knicks had their most successful season in 26 years, but an Eastern Conference Finals appearance isn’t where the team expects to peak.
Speaking with Forbes earlier this summer, Knicks wing OG Anunoby said that the team’s ultimate goal is to win a championship, next season in particular. Anunoby added that he isn’t satisfied with his current play and wants to get ‘better and better‘ to help New York win its first title in more than 50 years.
“Ultimate goal is to win a championship, that’s our main goal, I think mine and all my teammates,” Anunoby said, while also referring to the feeling he had when signing his five-year $212 million contract with the Knicks last summer. “It was excitement for all the hard work I put in, but also not being satisfied and wanting to keep getting better and better.”
Anunoby averaged a career-high 18 points along with 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals on 47.6% shooting in 74 regular-season games for the Knicks. He put up similar numbers through their three postseason series while leading the team in steals and blocks per game.
Anunoby Loves NYC
Anunoby also spoke on what it was like to play in New York, and what it felt like on a team that reached heights the city hadn’t seen since 2000. The 28-year-old originally from London said that he ‘loved every second‘ of playing for the Knicks.
“I‘ve been in New York the last year and a half and I’ve loved every second of it,” Anunoby said. “New York has the best fans. I love my teammates, I love my coaches, I love everyone. It’s awesome being here.”
Anunoby was traded from the Toronto Raptors to the Knicks for R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley in December of 2023. Since arriving in New York, he has been one of their main defensive anchors, and a major piece in securing their first 50-win season in more than a decade.
While the Knicks failed to reach their championship aspirations in 2024-25, Anunoby is confident that they can hit that mark next season. They expect to bring back all of their starters and added valuable bench depth in hopes of meeting or beating their best season since 1999.
Knicks Offseason Moves
After making their deepest playoff run in 25 years, the Knicks decided to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau, despite leading them to two of their most successful seasons in recent franchise history.
The front office instead replaced him with two-time Coach of the Year Mike Brown, who the Sacramento Kings recently fired after a poor start to last season. Brown also spent time as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, where he won three championships in a span of seven seasons.
The Knicks also made the offseason additions of Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele. While Thibodeau favored a shortened lineup and a star-heavy approach, the bench depth comes as players like Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges all ranked in the top six of minutes played in the entire league.
While Anunoby spoke publicly before the Knicks hired a new coach and brought in the players, Jalen Brunson and Hart both commented on the moves. The two gave glowing endorsements of all three, saying that they were ‘excited‘ about the additions.
ESPN Bet currently has New York tied for the best odds in the Eastern Conference to win the 2025-26 NBA title. With Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton expecting to be out for all of next season due to Achilles injuries, the Knicks will make a strong push to win their first title since 1973.
Knicks Star ‘Not Satisfied’ After Team’s Best Season in 25 Years