2025 Offseason. Episode 7: July 14th to 20th, 2025!
- Koron PIerre
- Jul 21
- 6 min read
This episode features everything inside the Knicks from July 14th to 20th, 2025!
Video Podcast related to this blog entry:
Special Highlight
Vecenie, S. (2025, July 14). Best college basketball players of the 2000s: Ranking the top 25. The Athletic. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6488102/2025/07/14/mens-college-basketball-best-25-players-rankings-2000s/
Knicks Summer League Games!
1. HoopsHype. (2025, July 14). Kevin McCullar Jr.: “This is really my real rookie season”. https://www.hoopshype.com/rumor/3754875/
2. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 14). The door was open for Kolek and now it might be slamming shut. https://dailyknicks.com/the-door-was-open-for-kolek-and-now-it-might-be-slamming-shut
3. HoopsHype. (2025, July 14). Rokas Jokubaitis rules out NBA Summer League again, cites no contact from Knicks. https://www.hoopshype.com/rumor/3755022/
4. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 14). Knicks find unlikely source of hope in search to address most glaring weakness. https://dailyknicks.com/knicks-find-unlikely-source-hope-search-address-most-glaring-weakness
5. HoopsHype. (2025, July 14). Update on Pacome Dadiet’s injury: No structural damage to big toe. https://www.hoopshype.com/rumor/3755048/
6. Popper, S. (2025, July 14). Knicks Summer League 2025: Kevin McCullar Jr. shines through Game 2. New York Daily News. https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/07/14/knicks-summer-league-2025-kevin-mccullar-jr-shines-through-game-2/
7. Botte, P. (2025, July 14). Mohamed Diawara is making his Knicks case in summer league showing. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/07/14/sports/mohamed-diawara-making-his-knicks-case-in-summer-league-showing/
8. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 14). The Knicks second-rounder is turning heads and the OG comps are real. https://dailyknicks.com/the-knicks-second-rounder-is-turning-heads-and-the-og-comps-are-real
9. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 14). It only took one quarter for Tyler Kolek to remind everyone of his upside. https://dailyknicks.com/it-only-took-one-quarter-for-tyler-kolek-to-remind-everyone-of-his-upside
10. HoopsHype. (2025, July 17). Pacome Dadiet (toe sprain) and Kevin McCullar (nasal contusion) out vs. Celtics; Nnaji available. https://www.hoopshype.com/rumor/3757337/
11. Berman, M. (2025, July 17). What Tyler Kolek’s been looking for, and hopefully found, with this Knicks’ summer league stint. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/07/17/sports/what-tyler-koleks-been-looking-for-in-knicks-summer-league-stint/
12. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 17). Summer League may be revealing changes that are coming to the Knicks. https://dailyknicks.com/summer-league-may-be-revealing-changes-that-are-coming-to-knicks
13. SNY. (2025, July 17). MarJon Beauchamp scores 28 points, Knicks' comeback falls short in 91-88 loss to Pacers in Summer League action. https://sny.tv/articles/knicks-pacers-summer-league-takeaways-7-17-25
14. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 17). Knicks guard's greatest strength has become his biggest weakness. https://dailyknicks.com/knicks-guard-s-greatest-strength-has-become-his-biggest-weakness
15. SNY. (2025, July 17). 4 Knicks takeaways from 2025 Summer League. https://sny.tv/articles/4-knicks-takeaways-from-2025-summer-league
Smoking Hot Knicks Topics!
1. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 15). The Knicks want to space things out and Brunson’s role could shift. https://dailyknicks.com/the-knicks-want-to-space-things-out-and-brunson-s-role-could-shift
2. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 15). The Knicks made a quiet hire that could shape their young core. https://dailyknicks.com/the-knicks-made-a-quiet-hire-that-could-shape-their-young-core
3. HoopsHype. (2025, July 15). Landry Shamet returning to New York still possible. https://www.hoopshype.com/rumor/landry-shamet-returning-to-new-york-still-possible/
4. Berman, M. (2025, July 15). Why Darvin Ham is not a Knicks option as search for top assistant lingers. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/07/15/sports/knicks-darvin-ham-request-denied-by-bucks-as-rejections-pile-up/
5. HoopsHype. (2025, July 15). Bucks deny Knicks’ request to interview Darvin Ham. https://www.hoopshype.com/rumor/bucks-deny-knicks-request-to-interview-darvin-ham/
6. Berman, M. (2025, July 15). Mike Brown’s Knicks pace change brings big Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns questions. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/07/15/sports/mike-browns-knicks-pace-change-brings-big-questions/
7. Berman, M. (2025, July 16). The nomadic basketball journey that brought Mike Brown to the Knicks. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/07/16/sports/the-nomadic-odyssey-that-brought-mike-brown-to-the-basketball-mecca/
8. Marks, B. (2025, July 15). NBA free agency: Which franchises belong to the Apron Club? ESPN. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45749043/nba-free-agency-which-franchises-belong-apron-club
9. SNY. (2025, July 15). Top 10 New York athletes right now: 2025 edition. https://sny.tv/articles/top-10-new-york-athletes-right-now-2025
10. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 16). A harsh financial reality is looming and Mitchell Robinson could pay. https://dailyknicks.com/a-harsh-financial-reality-is-looming-and-mitchell-robinson-could-pay
11. Popper, S. (2025, July 16). Knicks face significant second apron decisions for 2026–27 NBA season. New York Daily News. https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/07/16/knicks-second-apron-decisions-mikal-bridges-mitchell-robinson/
12. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 16). Mike Brown must unlock underused part of Karl-Anthony Towns' game. https://dailyknicks.com/mike-brown-must-unlock-underused-part-of-karl-anthony-towns-game
13. SNY. (2025, July 16). Knicks' Josh Hart undergoes procedure on finger; will resume basketball activities this summer. https://sny.tv/articles/knicks-josh-hart-procedure-finger-basketball-activities-summer
14. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 16). Mike Brown is bringing his go-to action to unlock Brunson and Towns. https://dailyknicks.com/mike-brown-is-bringing-his-go-to-action-to-unlock-brunson-and-towns
15. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 17). Knicks may have just revealed why Mikal Bridges won’t get an extension. https://dailyknicks.com/knicks-may-have-just-revealed-why-mikal-bridges-won-t-get-an-extension-01k0ar93w248
16. Berman, M. (2025, July 18). Suni Lee reveals truth behind OG Anunoby relationship after romance rumors spread. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/07/18/sports/suni-lee-social-media-took-og-anunoby-relationship-too-far/
17. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 18). Former Knicks draft pick without a job clearly deserves to be signed. https://dailyknicks.com/former-knicks-draft-pick-without-a-job-clearly-deserves-to-be-signed
The Latest On The Knicks Free Agency!
1. Basketball Insiders. (2025, July 20). Guerschon Yabusele signed with the Knicks because he wants to “play for something” in 2025-26. https://www.basketballinsiders.org/news/guerschon-yabusele-signed-with-the-knicks-because-he-wants-to-play-for-something-in-2025-26/
2. HoopsHype. (2025, July 15). Landry Shamet returning to New York still possible. HoopsHype. https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/2025/07/15/landry-shamet-returning-to-new-york-still-possible/85204120007/
3. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 15). Knicks may quietly benefit from Bradley Beal’s free agency twist. Daily Knicks. https://dailyknicks.com/knicks-may-quietly-benefit-from-bradley-beal-s-free-agency-twist-01k0ag55981w
More Topics
1. Spears, M. J. (2025, July 20). Legendary former #NBA head coach and executive Bernie Bickerstaff honored by @BCAWORLDWIDE for his influence on the game and his outstanding coaching tree. HoopsHype. https://www.hoopshype.com/rumor/3754870/
2. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 19). Mark Jackson is absolutely delusional after Knicks rant. Daily Knicks. https://dailyknicks.com/mark-jackson-is-absolutely-delusional-after-knicks-rant
3. HoopsHype. (2025, July 20). Hill believes Magic can compete with Cavs and Knicks thanks to Banchero, defense, and improved spacing. HoopsHype. https://www.hoopshype.com/rumor/3756981/
4. Fischer, J. (2025, July 20). Not every team sees Jaylen Brown as a valuable addition. HoopsHype. https://www.hoopshype.com/rumor/not-every-team-sees-jaylen-brown-as-a-valuable-addition/
5. Daily Knicks. (2025, July 19). Knicks were just gifted a massive title boost from an unexpected source. Daily Knicks. https://dailyknicks.com/knicks-were-just-gifted-a-massive-title-boost-from-an-unexpected-source
6. Botte, P. (2025, July 19). The top 10 most unfair New York sports what-if athletes. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/07/19/sports/the-top-10-most-unfair-new-york-sports-what-ifs/
Flagship: 5 CRITICAL Moves The Knicks MUST Make Before Season Starts!
The Knicks have made key moves this summer—most notably signing Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, and installing Mike Brown as head coach—but a few critical offseason tasks remain.
1️⃣ Sign At Least 2 More Players
The Knicks currently have 12 players on guaranteed deals: Brunson, Towns, Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, Robinson, McBride, Shamet, Clarkson, Yabusele, Diawara, Kolek, and Hukporti To hit the minimum 14-man roster, two more signees are essential—ideally, reliable veteran rotational players. According to The Athletic, they’re eyeing candidates like Landry Shamet (in discussion) and possibly someone like Ben Simmons.
2️⃣ Lock in Kevin McCullar Jr.
McCullar, recovering from injury during Summer League, is playing like a keeper. Knox’s staff has praised his energy and hustle . The Knicks need to decide whether to convert McCullar to a standard contract or re-up him on another two-way deal—before other teams pounce.
3️⃣ Decide on Extensions for Bridges and Mitchell Robinson
Mikal Bridges is eligible for a max extension (~4 yrs/$156M). But the Knicks are delaying, holding off in case Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available ESPN.com+1Spotrac+1Reddit+1Yahoo Sports+1.
Mitchell Robinson is also extension‑eligible and controls a $12.95M expiring contract in 2026 ESPN.com+15Reddit+15Yahoo Sports+15. He’s a defensive anchor—do the Knicks see him as part of their long-term core or a trade asset?
4️⃣ Sign Another Quality Veteran
Depth remains a concern. The bench ranked last in MPG last season. With Clarkson and Yabusele aboard, the front office is also targeting a final veteran-minimum signing—possibly Landry Shamet or Ben Simmons. Whoever it is, he needs to be playoff-seasoned and team‑first.
5️⃣ Hire a Lead Assistant & Finalize Coaching Staff
Since Tom Thibodeau was let go on June 3 and Mike Brown was hired July 7, the search continues for an associate/lead assistant. They've failed to land top candidates like Darvin Ham, James Borrego, Jay Triano —but Riccardo Fois, formerly with Brown in Sacramento, is expected to join soon. Finalizing the bench staff is vital to Brown's pace-and-space vision and player development.
🔚 Final Word
Here’s where the Knicks stand as of July 21, 2025:
Roster: 12 fully guaranteed contracts; need 2 more.
Extensions: Bridges in limbo due to Giannis rumors; Robinson on the fence.
Depth: Bench needs reliable, playoff-tested veterans.
Coaching: Associate head coach hire still pending.
If New York can check off these five agenda items—add two players, retain McCullar, decide extensions, add veteran depth, and round out the coaching staff—they’ll enter training camp as a legitimate Eastern Conference title threat.
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Word On The Street
The Objective Knicks Fan. (n.d.). The Objective Knicks Fan [YouTube channel]. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/@TheObjectiveKnicksFan
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