The New York Knicks are not just chasing a deep playoff run; they are chasing a championship. That is why they have locked in their core: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns. The blueprint is clear: contend now, and stay competitive for the long haul.
The Knicks are betting on player development to sustain their title window
That second part, staying competitive, is where things get interesting. New York’s latest coaching hire, Billy Lange, signals something bigger than just a tweak to the bench. It reflects a shift in emphasis. The Knicks are betting on player development to round out this roster and keep the window open.
“They’ve really built out a robust staff…larger than your average NBA coaching staff,” reported Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. “And they really have placed an emphasis on player development.”
This is what smart win-now teams do. Look at the most recent NBA champs in the Oklahoma City Thunder; they built their top of the roster with star power, then rely on younger, cheaper talent to fill in the gaps, not just as placeholders, but as real contributors.
“They’re going to need a Tyler Kolek, an Ariel Hukporti,” Fischer added. “If you’re an apron team… you’re going to need your first-round picks, your undrafted players, your second-round picks to be able to develop and contribute.”
That is where Lange comes in. He may not have the name recognition of the players he will be coaching, but his resume is still strong nonetheless. He is a former head coach at Saint Joseph’s, an NBA assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers, and has deep ties to Villanova’s player-first system. He has developed talent at multiple different levels, and now he will be asked to do it in one of the league’s most demanding markets.
And he is not alone. The Knicks have added other development-minded assistants like Chris Jent and T.J. Saint since hiring Mike Brown as head coach. This offseason, they have been clearly trying to create an environment where young players can grow quickly and contribute meaningfully.
This matters. Because while the Knicks’ top four may be set, the rest of the roster is fluid. If guys like Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, or Hukporti can emerge as trusted rotation players, it changes everything. It adds depth. It adds flexibility. And it gives the Knicks a better shot at making their contender status last beyond a couple of seasons.
New York’s plan is smart and deliberate: win now with your stars, and win later by developing what is behind them. If all works out, this could be a recipe for success because that is exactly how dynasties are built.