Draymond Green lays a plan for the Knicks to become championship winners: "I think they need a great player"

Draymond Green lays a plan for the Knicks to become championship winners: “I think they need a great player” originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green isn’t a firm believer in the future of the New York Knicks at least as of the moment. Even if the Knicks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, the four-time champion feels that their roster isn’t complete yet. According to Green, the Knicks need one more piece in order to form a team that’s capable of making it to the NBA Finals.

“As far as the Knicks forward, in order to win, it ain’t there yet. I just don’t foresee it. I think in order to win, the Knicks need to bring in a great player. I can’t talk specific names because I’m not going to give my money away for that. But if the Knicks want to win and compete for a championship, I think they need a great player and I’ll just leave it at that,” said Green in his latest podcast entitled “The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.”

Retooling the roster

Green’s take on the Knicks makes a lot of sense, especially since they had no offensive firepower to keep up with the Pacers’ dynamic offense. Despite Jalen Brunson averaging 30.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in the series, New York needed more from their role players outside of Karl Anthony Towns. For as impressive as OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart were all playoffs, especially on the defensive side of the court, the Knicks needed a go-to scorer.

Of course, not having another go-to scorer isn’t the only reason why New York didn’t snap their 30-year NBA Finals drought. Their weaknesses, such as their lack of depth, coach, who they fired right after the series and late-game execution, were all exposed. Not to mention that Indiana was also simply the better team and there was only so much the Knicks defense could do to contain not only the duo of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam but their key role players.

So far as much as the Knicks need a go-to scorer, they also have to address their weaknesses. It starts by first hiring the right coach then retooling the roster by going in whatever direction they decide to go to. In Green’s opinion, New York should lean more into offense.

What direction will the Knicks go in?

If the Knicks take Green’s advice and go after a superstar or even a bona fide All-Star offensive talent, they will have no choice but to acquire him via trade. That also means having to let go of a key role player or two, so it could be their most attractive assets, such as Anunoby, Hart, Bridges, or even Deuce McBride. New York also has to provide better support for Brunson and KAT because their bench is extremely thin and weak.

But that said, It’s going to be interesting to see what direction this Knicks team goes in. Will they build on their success this postseason and keep the core intact? Or retool their roster and cater to their needs in an attempt to get better and finally make it to the ECF? The upcoming offseason will give us all the answers.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

Draymond Green lays a plan for the Knicks to become championship winners: “I think they need a great player”

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