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The Knicks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, when they coincidentally also played the Spurs.
They came close to making it to the Finals last postseason, but finally got past the ECF hurdle this year.
It's taken years for the Knicks to go from one of the worst teams in the league to one of the best.
How the Knicks built their 2026 NBA Finals roster: Trades, draft picks and free agent signings
Here's how each notable player on the 2025-26 Knicks roster was acquired.
Jalen Brunson
Brunson wasn't originally drafted by New York. They took a chance on him when they signed him in the 2022 offseason as a free agent.
It didn't take long for him to become a fan favorite in New York, as he averaged 24.0 points in his first season as a Knick, and the rest is history.
MORE: Jalen Brunson set to do something never done in NBA history, in Game 1 of NBA Finals
Karl-Anthony Towns
The Knicks were coming off a couple of promising seasons before the 2024-25 season, and out of nowhere, they made a trade to acquire Towns before the season started.
It turned out to be a great trade for the Knicks, and even though they gave up Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in the deal, they got back a reliable all-star player who made an impact quickly in The Big Apple.
OG Anunoby
Anunoby was another player the Knicks were criticized for trading for.
They gave up a lot of players and assets, but Anunoby, when healthy, is one of New York's more dependable players.
He was traded to the Knicks in late December of 2023.
Mikal Bridges
Bridges was traded to the Knicks early in the 2024 offseason and was the first major offseason acquisition the Knicks had before later trading for Towns.
MORE: Every Knicks player's nickname from Jalen Brunson to Jose Alvarado
Josh Hart
Hart was a part of a major four-team trade at the 2023 trade deadline.
This was the start of the 'Nova Knicks,' as the Knicks at the time had a strong trio of players who played in college together at Villanova.
Deuce McBride
McBride is one of the most tenured Knicks in their core, as he was drafted back in 2021.
It took a little while for his role with the team to develop, but he's now one of the team's best players off the bench.
Landry Shamet
Shamet has been with the Knicks since the start of the 2024-25 season, when he was signed.
His role has slowly increased during his time in New York, peaking with some of his incredible performances this postseason.
Entering the NBA Finals, he leads the NBA in eFG%, at 77.7%.
MORE: Where did every player go to college on the Knicks' 2025-26 NBA Finals roster?
Jordan Clarkson
After being waived by the Jazz last summer, Clarkson signed with the Knicks as a free agent.
He played 72 games in the regular season, averaging 17.8 minutes.
Jose Alvarado
The Knicks traded for Alvarado before the trade deadline this season.
Alvarado has only been with the Knicks for a few months, but the hometown kid has made his impact so far.
He's played an important role off the bench, and entering the NBA Finals has been featured in 13 postseason games.
Mitchell Robinson
It might not seem like it due to injuries, but Robinson has been with the Knicks for 8 years.
They drafted him in 2018, and he's played in 397 regular-season games since.
His role has changed since the Knicks acquired Towns, but he is still a reliable center for New York who has been around since the team was still very much in rebuild mode.
Other players
- Mohamed Diawara: Traded to the Knicks in 2025 on draft day
- Ariel Hukporti: Traded to the Knicks in 2024 on draft day
- Tyler Kolek: Traded to the Knicks in 2024 on draft day
- Pacôme Dadiet: Drafted by the Knicks in 2024
- Jeremy Sochan: Signed by the Knicks early in 2026
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