The New York Knicks have been watching and waiting for the right star to go after, and by the time 2028 rolls around, the team should have added a big-name player (or two). New York has put itself in a good position without trading for a star, so imagine how the roster will look in five years.
It’s been 50 years since the Knicks won their last NBA title, a streak fans are hoping they’ll get to see snapped in their lifetime. If Leon Rose can play his cards right, and so far he has, New York could soon be labeled a true championship contender.
If another title hasn’t already been delivered to NYC with the starting lineup below, one could be on the way.
The four-year contract Jalen Brunson signed last summer in free agency runs through the 2025-26 season, a $24.9 million player option. When it comes time for him to sign an extension, he’ll get the bag he deserves.
Brunson blew past the expectations others had for him in his first season in New York, and his history shows he will continue to improve. At the start of 2028-29, Brunson should’ve already made a couple of All-NBA and All-Star teams. Those are feats he still hasn’t achieved but the snub could motivate him that much more for 2023-24.
The Knicks have shown a commitment to building around Brunson, and he should still be around in five years. He’ll be 32, three years younger than Steph Curry is now. Brunson hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down anytime soon, which will only benefit New York in its championship push.
should have added a big-name player</a> (or two). New York has put itself in a good position without trading for a star, so imagine how the roster will look in five years.</p>
<p>It’s been 50 years since the Knicks won their last NBA title, a streak fans are hoping they’ll get to see snapped in their lifetime. If Leon Rose can play his cards right, and so far he has, New York could soon be labeled a true championship contender.</p>
<p>If another title hasn’t already been delivered to NYC with the starting lineup below, one could be on the way.</p>
<h2>New York Knicks’ dream starting lineup in five years</h2>
<h3>Knicks’ dream point guard in 2028: Jalen Brunson</h3>
<p>The four-year contract Jalen Brunson signed last summer in free agency runs through the 2025-26 season, a $24.9 million player option. When it comes time for him to sign an extension, he’ll get the bag he deserves.</p>
<p>Brunson blew past the expectations others had for him in his first season in New York, and his history shows he will continue to improve. At the start of 2028-29, Brunson should’ve already made a couple of All-NBA and All-Star teams. Those are feats he still hasn’t achieved but the snub could motivate him that much more for 2023-24.</p>
<p>The Knicks have shown a commitment to building around Brunson, and he should still be around in five years. He’ll be 32, three years younger than Steph Curry is now. Brunson hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down anytime soon, which will only benefit New York in its championship push.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/09/17/dream-starting-five-new-york-knicks-5-years/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> SG and SF </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-149009" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/09/17/dream-starting-five-new-york-knicks-5-years/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1706,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2023%2F09%2F1483925056-scaled.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Quentin Grimes" width="2560" height="1706" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/09/1483925056-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/09/1483925056-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/09/1483925056-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/09/1483925056-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Quentin Grimes, New York Knicks. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Knicks’ dream shooting guard in 2028: Quentin Grimes</h3>
<p>Looking at New York’s current roster, Quentin Grimes is one young player the front office should prioritize keeping long-term. He’s coming off his first full season as a starter and has <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/09/17/dream-starting-five-new-york-knicks-5-years/"https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2023/8/5/23821131/little-rest-for-quentin-grimes-and-jalen-brunson-this-offseason" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">worked this offseason</a> to add a few more things to his tool kit.</p>
<p>Over the next few seasons, Grimes should emerge as one of the league’s best 3-and-D wings. His three-point percentage last season (38.6%) was slightly better than his rookie year (38.1%), but his defense improved. Grimes routinely guards the opposing team’s best player, so if he can become more of a consistent threat from downtown, he’ll be hard to stop.</p>
<p>Grimes has a $4.3 million club option for 2024-25, so if he signs an extension, it’ll start with the 2025-26 season. The Knicks will go into the luxury tax if they extend Grimes and Immanuel Quickley, so it’s nothing more than a prediction that New York will choose to keep its current starting shooting guard.</p>
<h3>Knicks’ dream small forward in 2028: Mikal Bridges</h3>
<p>The Knicks have been <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/09/17/dream-starting-five-new-york-knicks-5-years/"https://dailyknicks.com/2023/09/15/knicks-predictable-free-agency-move-strengthen-villanova-bond/">collecting former Villanova players</a>, and although Leon Rose wouldn’t say it publicly, the team president would likely love nothing more than getting Mikal Bridges. He won’t be a free agent until 2026, the soonest New York could likely get him, as Brooklyn would never trade him to its biggest rival.</p>
<p>The Nets’ future isn’t looking bright, and although they’ve lauded Bridges as their next star, it’s tough to envision him re-signing with Brooklyn. With Brunson likely still being in New York in 2028, the two former Wildcats could finally reunite to win some more hardware.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/09/17/dream-starting-five-new-york-knicks-5-years/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> PF and C </a>
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the Knicks’ big star trade</a>? Fans should surely hope so. The 28-year-old has already won two regular season MVPs and one NBA Finals MVP, so who knows what else he will add to his resume in the next five years.</p>
<p>Antetokounmpo is currently eligible to sign an extension with the Bucks, and he’s made it clear that won’t happen unless Milwaukee can still compete for a championship. He’ll be eligible to enter free agency in 2026, but there’s always the option he could request a trade before then.</p>
<p>New York has had its eye on Joel Embiid, but Antetokounmpo’s playoff history is one of the reasons why he’d be a better option for the Knicks. Antetokounmpo will be 33 in 2028 and still be regarded as one of the best players in the NBA. He knows a thing or two about winning championships and, at this point, could’ve already led New York to its third.</p>
<h3>Knicks’ dream center in 2028: Jericho Sims</h3>
<p>Mitchell Robinson’s four-year deal he signed last offseason goes through 2025-26. He’s the Knicks’ defensive anchor but has publicly complained about his limited offensive role. However, there’s reason for that. It wouldn’t be a shock if he enters free agency in 2026 and signs with a new team.</p>
<p>Jericho Sims’ two-way contract was converted to a standard deal in 2022. The soon-to-be 25-year-old is New York’s third center on the depth chart and is out of reach of Tom Thibodeau’s tight rotation. The next couple of years will be crucial to Sims’ development, and within five years, he could be in a position to assume starting center duties. He’s already a quality rim protector and rebounder.</p>
<p>Sims would be the lowest-paid starter of the group but would be another sign of the Knicks’ strength to develop within.</p>
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