KFTV Midseason Writers Roundtable 2025-26

The New York Knicks have been the dictionary definition of a team where being 35-20 still isn’t enough for the city that never sleeps. After a successful streak of games coming out of the NBA Cup, Jalen Brunson and the rest of his squad won just two out of their next 11 games, spreading doubt amongst the NBA community. Fast forward 11 games later, and they’ve now won nine of those contests.

Although we love hearing from our dedicated fans, those who continue to rep KFTV for life, it’s time to peel back the curtain and find out what exactly is on the mind of our writers.

Joseph: I’d give it a solid A. We flipped Yabusele’s contract, one that the front office was clearly trying to get out of, and flipped him for a defensive point guard in Jose Alvarado. Yes, it cost us two second-round picks, but considering the direction the franchise is heading with the current roster, those picks more than likely wouldn’t have resulted in anyone worth playing.

Jalen: A+++. It goes beyond a 4.0. To turn Yabu and a few seconds into Jose Alvarado and the cap space for an immediate flyer on Jeremy Sochan is impressive maneuvering.

Geoffrey: B+. When the signing was made, everyone was on board. It just didn't work out; I can't kill Leon for that in the way some people have. That being said, getting any form of production for a player who was racking up a ton of DNP’s is pretty impressive. Alvarado’s production in the playoffs will be the final factor that ultimately makes this a higher grade or not.

Omar: A-. The Knicks, in essence, turned a negative asset in Yabusele into a huge positive in Jose Alvarado. Alvarado is a huge boost defensively, but there are always concerns about his consistency as a shooter. That tradeoff is miles better than what they got from Yabusele, and only giving up some second-round picks to do it is a huge win for New York.

Remi: I give it a B. Hats off to Yabusele for working with the Knicks to change his contract and help the move happen. Turning Yabusele and two SRPs into Alvarado is a steal, but I docked points because the ball was really in his court. If he chose not to give up the extra year, Leon Rose couldn’t have pulled this off. It’s also incredible that the trade created more cap space—instrumental to landing Sochan.

Joseph: Absolutely. Given how lowkey Leon Rose was about Deuce McBride’s injury, the need to find a serviceable backup point guard who can cover both ends of the floor was at the top of that list. At first, finding a wing off the bench would’ve been the number one priority, but the signing of Jeremy Sochan essentially threw away any remaining worries. 

Jalen: I didn’t think the Knicks needed another small guard—I hoped they would add big man depth—but I think they found exactly what they needed: a jolt of energy to close out the first half.

Geoffrey: I would've loved for them to get Ayo Dosunmo, but it was clear that was going to cost more. I was not in favor of a Giannis deal either, so I think it was the right improve-across-the-margins type of deal Leon has made in the past.

Omar: Yes. It became clear early that the Giannis trade wasn't happening. So the Knicks addressed the defense and brought in a culture-setter in Alvarado, and then eventually bolstered the bench depth defensively with Jeremy Sochan. It's a margin move that makes a ton of sense as they try to break through and reach the Finals this year and reassess everything else in the summer.

Remi: Absolutely. The move looked great even before the news that Deuce McBride would miss extended time. I have a hard time imagining anyone second-guessing it after watching Alvarado stick up for Mitchell Robinson in their third game as teammates. The one thing the Knicks were lacking was a tough edge that Alvarado provides (Sochan, too).

Joseph: He’s similar to what someone said about Patrick Beverley a few years back: you want him on your team, but don’t want to play against him. The Knicks needed more disruptors, more players who can go out there and be unique in their own way, and Alvarado checks off that box from start to finish. 

Jalen: He’s great in his role as a pest. Even when he isn’t hitting eight threes, he can make an impact defensively. There is probably a better comparison out there, but Jose Caballero on the Yankees brings a bit of the same vibes.

Geoffrey: I mean, what's not to like? I don't think he’ll be a stout defender, but I do think he will make impact plays defensively that will shift momentum and get the crowd going. That's important. If he hits shots on top of that, you have an X-factor in the postseason. Also love his personality and the energy he brings, which I feel contrasts most of the players currently on the roster.

Omar: Tremendously positive. The defensive intensity is there, and he has shown an ability to hit shots even if he is streaky. The bigger deal to me, though, is how much of a cultural impact he has made already after a few games. There's a mentality there with him that we haven't had since DiVincenzo, and it's desperately been needed.

Remi: I’m a proud Puerto Rican, so my impressions of Alvarado were overwhelmingly positive ever since he led Team Puerto Rico to the Olympics for the first time in 20 years. But beyond that, his personality and playstyle feel like a real encapsulation of New York basketball. He’s built to be a fan favorite.

Joseph: I think this list can be longer than most expected, but I’d love to see Mikal Bridges get more involved in the offense. He’s currently averaging a low 15.9 points, but is shooting 50.4% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range. Bridges is still an elite scorer who loves the mid-range and the catch-and-shoot. Let’s see if Mike Brown takes that into account, at least to take the scoring pressure off of Brunson and Towns. 

Jalen: The push to empower KAT on all fronts has to begin. Towns has sacrificed touches and improved his defense while leading the league in rebounding. I think finding easier shots for him will mitigate all the ‘hooking.’ And a Mike Brown-led campaign for KAT to get free throws should start soon, because the Knicks will need every bit of that in the playoffs.

Geoffrey: To be fair to MB, I can’t always tell whether he calls the double or if players do it on their own, but I do think the Knicks double too much, especially in the post. If OG is guarding anyone, and I mean ANYONE, let him handle it. Causing the defense to shift and rotate to open shooters can give a dead offense life.

Omar: Now that Yabusele has been moved, I'd really like to see Brown lean more into giving Mohamed Diawara more opportunities as the team gears up for the playoffs. Developing him here is crucial for the short-term if he's needed in the postseason and the long-term as a future piece of this franchise. His appearances have been erratic this season, and seeing him get more opportunities would go a long way.

Remi: Get Karl-Anthony Towns more post-up opportunities when teams defend him with smaller guards. Towns shouldn’t have to create against little guys from a face-up on the perimeter. He should be bullying his way to better positions near the basket.

Joseph: Assuming the Knicks’ opponent makes it out of the play-in tournament, I think Charlotte would probably be our easiest opponent given their lack of playoff credibility and youth. If we’re talking teams that would make me clutch my pearls, Philly and Orlando would probably give us the toughest matchups, just for their physicality in a seven-game series. 

Jalen: Give me the Raptors or any of the usual play-in dwellers. 2024’s first-round series against Philly was stressful, so I’d rather avoid. And the Magic seem to injure at least one player per Knicks matchup.

Geoffrey: There's really no team 4-10 that I wouldn't want to face besides the Cavs if they figure things out with Harden. The Magic are a tough team, but I don't think they're playing the same way as they were earlier this season. I would love to face Philly for the pure fact that beating them is super enjoyable.

Omar: Not Orlando. I know they've been very disappointing this season. But they have high-level talented players that could muddy up a series and make things difficult for the Knicks. Especially with the emergence of Anthony Black, I think whoever gets them in the first round is in for a tough series.

Remi: None of the teams outside the top four scare me, but I’ll pick Orlando. That’s mainly because their physical style could be taxing in a series, and I’m always worried about their guards injuring Jalen Brunson. Those guards are reckless defenders, which I’m sure their own fans love, but it makes me cringe.

Joseph: Not so much about a single player, but the Knicks go 22-5 in these last 27 games of the regular season. This is a team that will be one player away from being fully healthy. Now’s the time to make a statement. If they can find a place for everyone on the bench to receive minutes, continue their defensive streak, and open the floodgates, this is a Knicks team that could regain the No.1 seed for the first time since 1993-94.  

Jalen: I’m getting Julius Randle flashbacks with the timing of the Deuce McBride injury. If he even does return, doing so right before playoff action feels like a trap, and I think the new additions of Sochan and Alvarado, plus the continued ascension of Mo Diawara, could make it difficult for him to get his spot back.

Geoffrey: KAT regains some of last season’s shooting form, and Mo Diawara gets more time in the rotation than he did prior to the All-Star Break.

Omar: Landry Shamet continues his ascension of importance with this team and cements himself as one of the best sixth men in basketball. Between his defense and shot-making, he's been incredibly important to this team, and I think with Deuce missing extended time, he will continue to be massively important to the bench lineups. Enough of that, and I think he could have some buzz as a potential 6MOY candidate.

Remi: The Knicks will blow out the Pistons coming out of the break, and start a run that ends with them catching Detroit in the standings. That’s about as bold as I can go, and I think it would place Jalen Brunson firmly in the conversation for MVP.

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