New York Knicks owner James Dolan said Monday he expects the franchise to reach the NBA Finals this season and believes the team, as presently constructed, can capture its first championship since 1973.
During a rare appearance on New York radio station WFAN on Jan. 5, 2026, Dolan addressed several topics, including last summer’s dismissal of head coach Tom Thibodeau and the approaching trade deadline, now one month away.
Confidence in the roster
Asked about his goals for 2025-26, Dolan was unequivocal: “We want to get to the Finals and we should win the Finals. Getting to the Finals, we absolutely have to do. Winning the Finals, we should do.” He added that team chemistry is strong and said he does not anticipate a major move before the deadline. “Leon [Rose] can always overrule me, but I don’t foresee us making a trade,” the owner noted.
Dolan specifically downplayed speculation linking New York to Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. When asked whether the two clubs ever came close to a deal last summer, he replied, “Not that I’m aware of.”
Thibodeau’s exit and coaching philosophy
Dolan praised Thibodeau for reviving the franchise and guiding the Knicks to last season’s Eastern Conference finals—their first appearance there since 2000—but said the organization felt a change was required to advance further. “The team is really built on Tom Thibodeau. He built that core… but we did come to the conclusion we needed to evolve beyond the old traditional coaching formulas,” Dolan explained.
He cited concerns about developing bench depth and reducing the minutes load on starters, issues he and team president Leon Rose reportedly raised with Thibodeau. New head coach Mike Brown has embraced that directive, and New York entered Monday night’s game at the Detroit Pistons sitting second in the Eastern Conference standings.
Despite the separation, Dolan endorsed Thibodeau’s prospects elsewhere. “I won’t say you can’t win a title with Tom Thibodeau… he should coach in the NBA again,” he said.
Health and depth heading into stretch run
Dolan expressed optimism about the Knicks’ depth as they approach the season’s midway point, referencing injuries to Josh Hart (still sidelined) and Landry Shamet (nearing a return). “We stay healthy, we’ll go into the playoffs in much better condition than last year,” he told WFAN.
The Knicks have not reached the NBA Finals since 1999, when they fell to the San Antonio Spurs. Their most recent championship came in 1973.
Source: ESPN
