5 things New York Knicks need to do to win an NBA Championship in the next 5 years

The New York Knicks had a relatively decent 2020/21 NBA season, in which they made the postseason after an 8-year drought. However, the campaign ended on a disappointing note, as the Knicks crashed out of the playoffs in just the first round, succumbing to a five-game series loss against the Atlanta Hawks.

The New York Knicks aim to win the NBA championship, and their recent business in the offseason points towards the same. In this article, we take a look at five things they need to do to lift the Larry O'Brien championship trophy in the next five years.

The New York Knicks added the likes of Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker this summer, strengthening their subpar backcourt. Combined with Julius Randle and RJ Barrett, the duo should help the Knicks on the offensive side of the ball, where the team struggled desperately last season.

However, the New York Knicks still need to improve in a lot of key areas if they want to win a championship. Here are five measures they should take -

#5 - Consistently remain one of the best defensive sides in the league

New York Knicks Introduce New Signees

The New York Knicks were one of the best defensive sides in the NBA last season, suffocating opponents both in the paint and on the perimeter. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has instilled a new defensive identity in the Knicks set-up, and the players have followed his instructions with sincerity so far, resulting in the team becoming one of the hardest sides to break down in the NBA.

It is a well-known fact that defense wins championships, and the New York Knicks will need to continue their stellar performances on the defensive end for years to come to win a ring.

#4 - Get a championship-caliber coach

New York Knicks Introduce New Signees

As mentioned above, Tom Thibodeau has played a crucial role in the New York Knicks developing a defensive identity and becoming a force to be reckoned with in the East. However, he lacks championship pedigree, and his teams are infamous for falling flat in the playoffs.

The New York Knicks need a championship-winning coach, someone who has gone all the way. The Knicks remain a lucrative option for players and coaches, and if they get a championship-caliber head coach, they could soon bag a championship.

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#3 - Nurture young talent

Charlotte Hornets v New York Knicks

The New York Knicks have a young and exciting squad, featuring players like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Barrett took a major leap last season, showing why he was coveted in high school and college. Immanuel Quickley also had an impressive debut season, and both the youngsters will be looking to develop further in the upcoming season.

The Knicks have made some good decisions in the draft lately, and now they need to nurture the young players in order to maximize their potential. The Toronto Raptors did the same with Pascal Siakam, and he ended up playing an instrumental role in their 2019 championship win.

#2 - Make smart decisions in the offseason

New York Knicks Introduce New Signees

The New York Knicks were arguably the smartest team in the 2020 offseason, where they managed to save their cap space for free agents instead of splurging mindlessly. As a result, they were able to land two good offensive players in Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, addressing their biggest need.

If the New York Knicks want to get their hands on an NBA championship, they will have to continue to make moves like these. Front office executive Leon Rose has a reputation for being patient in the market, and the New York Knicks should try to keep him at the helm for multiple years.

#1 - Sign a top-five talent in the league

Atlanta Hawks v New York Knicks - Game Two

In the modern era of the NBA which is dominated by super teams, it is next to impossible to win a championship without having multiple stars on your team. The New York Knicks will have to follow a similar model of success, or else they will fail to meet their target of winning a ring.

Julius Randle and Kemba Walker could be decent second and third options, but they lack the talent to power the Knicks to a championship. The Knicks will have to land a top-five talent to win it all, and will have to do so in the next 2-3 years.