New York Knicks 2026-27 Season Preview: Defending Champions, Free Agency & Fantasy Outlook
The first Knicks champions in 53 years enter 2026-27 with their entire starting five intact, a thinner bench, and a new backup center after letting Mitchell Robinson walk to stay under the second tax apron.
This New York Knicks 2026-27 season preview breaks down every major storyline entering the year: the team's 2026 NBA Draft moves, its free agency departures and re-signings, the projected starting lineup, updated Vegas win total and championship odds, and Knicks fantasy basketball analysis on the players who matter most heading into DFS and season-long drafts. After a 53-29 regular season and a 16-3 playoff run that ended with a Finals win over San Antonio, New York kept the core that won it all together and chose depth over splash, re-signing Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson, and Mohamed Diawara while replacing Robinson with veteran Andre Drummond.
Knicks 2026-27 Season at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 Record | 53-29 |
| 2025-26 Finish | 2nd in Atlantic Division, NBA champions (beat Spurs in Finals) |
| 2026-27 Win Total | 52.5 (BetMGM), highest in the East |
| Championship Odds | +900 |
| 2026 Draft Picks | No. 39, No. 47 (after trading down from No. 24) |
| Biggest Addition | Andre Drummond (replaces Mitchell Robinson) |
| Key Player | Jalen Brunson |
| Fantasy Player to Watch | Karl-Anthony Towns |
New York's 52.5 win total is the highest in the Eastern Conference, and the Knicks' +900 championship odds are tied with a retooled 76ers team for the best mark in the East, behind only San Antonio and Oklahoma City league-wide.
2026 NBA Draft: Knicks' Picks and Fits
New York began the night with Nos. 24, 31, and 55 and spent it cutting costs. The Knicks traded down from No. 24 (the Lakers moved up to take Cameron Carr), flipped the resulting No. 25 pick (Sergio De Larrea) to Dallas, and sent No. 31 to Houston, where Bruce Thornton was selected. They ended with two second-rounders, four future second-round picks, and $5 million in cash.
| Pick | Player | Position | School | 2026-27 Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 39 (2nd Rd, via trade) | Jack Kayil | G | ALBA Berlin (Germany) | Stash overseas | German guard who showed promise in Summer League; will play for ALBA Berlin this season because of a buyout clause in his previous contract. |
| No. 47 (2nd Rd, via trade) | Tyler Nickel | SF | Vanderbilt | Camp/depth | Wing shooter acquired in the four-team trade; unsigned as of the latest offseason report. |
New York also acquired draft rights to international players Melvin Ajinca, Louis Labeyrie, and Chinemelu Elonu, and sold the No. 53 pick for cash. None of the rookies are expected to matter to the 2026-27 rotation.
Key Free Agent Departures
Owner James Dolan said after the title that the Knicks did not intend to cross the second tax apron, and that decision cost them their longest-tenured player:
| Player | 2025-26 Role | 2026-27 Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Robinson | Backup C | Boston Celtics (3 yrs, $47.4M) | Major |
| Ariel Hukporti | Reserve C | Philadelphia 76ers | Minimal |
| Jeremy Sochan | Reserve forward | Portland Trail Blazers | Minimal |
| Trey Jemison | Reserve C | Toronto Raptors | Minimal |
| Dillon Jones | Two-way wing | Philadelphia 76ers | Minimal |
| Kevin McCullar Jr. | Reserve guard | Unsigned | Minimal |
Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 60 games and was said to be open to returning, but New York was not willing to pay him at the cost of crossing the second apron. Boston signed him instead.
Key Free Agent Acquisitions and Re-Signings
| Player | Terms | Type | Fantasy/Roster Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landry Shamet | 4 yrs, ~$24M | Re-signed | Floor-spacing guard retained using Early Bird rights. |
| Jose Alvarado | 3 yrs, ~$14.4M | Re-signed | Declined a $4.5M player option for a longer deal; keeps the backup point guard defensive energy. |
| Mohamed Diawara | 4 yrs, ~$11.3M | Re-signed | Restricted free agent retained for the long term; developmental forward. |
| Jordan Clarkson | 1 yr, minimum | Re-signed | Veteran scoring punch off the bench on a minimum deal. |
| Andre Drummond | 1 yr, ~$3.9M | Free agent addition | Elite offensive rebounder signed to replace Robinson; viewed as a step down in athleticism but a clear fit as Towns' backup. |
Major Roster Moves and Projected Starting Lineup
New York's offseason was about continuity: every member of the championship starting five is under contract, and the lone meaningful departure was Robinson. The question is depth. Several reserves left or were retained at minimum salaries, and second-year coach Mike Brown now has a more top-heavy roster than the one that went 16-3 in the playoffs. Towns, Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, and Hart combine for a very large payroll, and the Knicks are projected to sit right at the first apron.
Projected Starters
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | Jalen Brunson |
| SG | Mikal Bridges |
| SF | OG Anunoby |
| PF | Josh Hart |
| C | Karl-Anthony Towns |
Bench Rotation
- Backcourt: Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek, Jose Alvarado
- Wing: Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, Mohamed Diawara
- Frontcourt: Andre Drummond, Drew Eubanks
With only one true backup center, Towns' minutes and Hart's rebounding role will matter even more, and in-season frontcourt additions are a realistic possibility.
Knicks Biggest Fantasy Questions
Does Losing Mitchell Robinson Help or Hurt Karl-Anthony Towns?
Towns averaged 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 75 games. With Robinson gone, Drummond is the only real backup big, so Towns could see a modest minutes bump, which would help his rebounding and blocks totals.
Can Jalen Brunson Repeat a 26-Point Season?
Brunson averaged 26.0 points and 6.8 assists in 74 games and won Finals MVP. His workload is enormous and his team is built to protect him, so his floor is a top-20 asset, with the main risk being rest days on a team with title aspirations.
Who Is the Third Scorer Behind Brunson and Towns?
Anunoby (16.7 points on 48.4% shooting) and Bridges (14.4 points) are both efficient but low-usage. Neither is likely to jump much, so expect the Knicks' fantasy value to stay concentrated in Brunson and Towns, with Hart's rebounds and assists as the best category play among the supporting cast.
Knicks Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Key Players to Know
Five Knicks fantasy players carry meaningful weight into 2026-27 drafts, with a stable starting five and a thin bench as the dominant storyline.
Karl-Anthony Towns Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 11.0
- Position: PF/C
- 2025-26 Stats: 20.1 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 3.0 APG (75 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: First-round big with elite rebounding and threes
- What to Watch: Minutes with Robinson gone
Towns is a rare center who combines double-digit rebounds with three-point volume and strong free-throw shooting. His ADP in the low teens reflects that, and a thinner frontcourt behind him gives him a small path to even more playing time.
Jalen Brunson Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 20.0
- Position: PG
- 2025-26 Stats: 26.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 6.8 APG (74 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: Locked-in first-round point guard
- What to Watch: Games played and efficiency after a long title run
Brunson was an All-NBA Second Team selection and Finals MVP, and he remains the offensive engine of the East's top win-total team. His scoring and assist floor is about as safe as any guard's, though a deep playoff run adds some wear.
OG Anunoby Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 59.5
- Position: SF/PF
- 2025-26 Stats: 16.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.6 SPG (67 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: Efficient forward with steals and threes
- What to Watch: Games played after missing 15 contests
Anunoby shot 48.4% overall and 38.6% from three while posting a strong steals rate. He misses a handful of games most years, but his per-game production is steady, and he sits in a clearly defined role.
Mikal Bridges Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 69.5
- Position: PF/SF/SG
- 2025-26 Stats: 14.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG (82 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: Durable, low-usage defender
- What to Watch: Whether his scoring rebounds from a lower-usage year
Bridges has never missed a game in his career and delivered another 82-game season. His fantasy value is tied to steals, threes, and games played rather than scoring, and the first year of his four-year, $150 million extension starts this season.
Knicks Fantasy Sleepers & Breakouts
Knicks Fantasy Sleeper
Josh Hart: Hart's ADP of 81.0 trails his role as a starter who averaged 12.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 66 games. For managers who need rebounds and assists from a wing slot, he offers a multi-category line that the market often discounts because of his modest scoring.
Knicks Fantasy Breakout Candidate
I do not believe the Knicks have any real breakout candidates due to their reliance on the starting five and they’re all drafted in the top-100.
Data via NBA.com, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Hoops Rumors, Spotrac, BetMGM, RotoWire, and Basketball Reference. Odds and win totals reflect lines as of early October 2026 and are subject to change.