NBA SIMS LEAGUE
New York Knicks Team Review: 2024 - 2025 Season.
2024 - 25 Record: 20-62
Season Highlight:
The New York Knicks and high lottery picks, name a more iconic duo at this point. Somehow, someway, Smokey always manages to find himself near the top of the draft order, no matter how stacked the odds are against him. This season was no different, with the Knicks walking away from the lottery holding the #2 overall pick and seemingly locked in on Dylan Harper, one of the most hyped-up prospects in the class.
But here’s where things got spicy. Instead of keeping the pick, Smokey flipped it in a blockbuster deal that sent 2K SUPER DOOPER STAR Kevin Durant to the Big Apple. Yeah, Kevin Durant, the walking bucket, the tier-one demigod, the guy that just dropped 70 in a preseason NSL game, the kind of player that singlehandedly changes your ceiling in 2K. If you’ve got KD, you’ve always got a chance, no matter who you’re facing, and that’s the whole point in the NSL, the rest is up to the wonderful, unpredictable chaos that is 2K.
So while the Knicks may have passed on a young prospect, they gained a superstar. Smokey got his guy!
Season Lowlight:
It’s hard to call anything a “lowlight†for a team that never set out to win in the first place. Still, if you had to pick one, it would have to show up in the win column. But let’s be honest, that was all part of the Smokey master plan. He’s one of the most competitive and calculated minds in the league, and this season was never about climbing the standings. It was about patience, positioning, and playing the long game.
Smokey spent the year stacking assets, collecting fringe talent, and laying the groundwork for what’s to come. Every move felt intentional, a quiet setup for the inevitable moment when he hits the fast-forward button and pushes all the chips in. The “lowlight†wasn’t losing, it was waiting. And if history tells us anything, that wait is going to pay off in a big way now Smokey has decided it’s go time.
Best Trade:
NY Knicks Receive: Josh Giddey, Devin Vassel, Sasha Vezenkov, a first and 2 seconds
Toronto Receive: Kawhi Leonard
Much like the season lowlight, it’s tough to pinpoint a “best trade†for a team that’s in full rebuild mode. But if we’re talking about meaningful moves, the Knicks made one that could define their future. In a savvy piece of business, Smokey managed to land Josh Giddey, a genuine cornerstone for the next era in New York, along with Devin Vassell, who quickly became a valuable trade chip in his own right.
Giddey now looks locked in as the Knicks’ starting point guard for the long haul, a high-IQ playmaker who fits perfectly into the team’s vision moving forward. To make things even better, he’s been on fire to start thel NBA season, proving that Smokey’s faith wasn’t misplaced. And as a cherry on top, Giddey earns the rare distinction of being the first-ever 4-position eligible player in the NSL, versatility like that doesn’t come around often.
Worst Trade:
NY Knicks Receive: Jaden Mcdaniels, Bojan Bogdanovic, Ousmane Dieng and a first
Phoenix Receives: Damian Lillard
I wouldn’t call this a bad trade by any means, and that really speaks to the level of quality and consistency Smokey brings to the table. The centerpiece here was clearly Jaden McDaniels, a long, agile, lockdown forward with legitimate two-way upside. He’s the kind of player every GM in the league would love to have, elite defensively, switchable across positions, and still with plenty of untapped potential on the offensive end.
That said, if there’s a reason this deal lands in the “worst trade†category, it’s purely from a value perspective. Damian Lillard is a certified 2K superstar, a guy who can take over any game at any moment. In that sense, the return might feel just a touch light compared to the ceiling Dame brings. Still, when even your “worst†trade involves acquiring a player like McDaniels, it’s a pretty good sign that your front office knows exactly what it’s doing.
Free Agency:
The Knicks have been clear about their approach — fill the gaps smartly. With the core set, Smokey will target the minimum market, much like other contenders, looking for specialists with specific skill sets to complement his stars. Expect calculated moves aimed at rounding out the roster with role players who fit seamlessly into the system.
Star: KEVIN DURANT
Kevin Durant — the new face of the New York Knicks. It still feels wild to say, but here we are. KD instantly changes everything for this team. He’s a ultimate cheat code in 2K, a walking bucket, smooth as silk, and capable of taking over a game whenever he feels like it. The Knicks have been searching for that true superstar presence, and now they’ve got one of the best to ever do it. Durant brings instant championship experience, a proven killer instinct, and the kind of scoring punch that makes every game feel winnable. His ability to slide into any lineup and still dominate makes him the perfect fit for Smokey’s squad. This is the guy Smokey will build around the next few seasons, to give himself the best shot at NSL glory. KD in New York, that just hits different.
Draft Grades:
Tre Johsnon - A-
Tre looks like a future prolific scorer and deadly three-point shooter, the kind of player who can make an impact alongside anyone on the floor. His skill set fits perfectly with the Knicks’ core, giving them spacing, scoring, and versatility. This is a smart pick from Smokey, one that brings both immediate value and long-term upside. Over the next few years, Tre has the tools to grow into a star scorer, and it’s going to be exciting to watch him develop into a key piece of New York’s future.
The Lineup:
C: Ivica Zubac / Jarrett Allen
PF: Kevin Durant / Nikola Jovic / Oso Igodaro
SF: Jaden Mcdaniels / Saddiq Bey / Tristan Dasilva
SG: Jaylon Tyson / Tre Johnson
PG: Josh Giddey
That starting 5 has some serious two - way ability about them, scoring, defence, rebounding, it is a unit that makes a lot of sense on paper and one i’m sure will make a lot of sense from a 2k perspective. These Knicks are ready to go!
Season Prediction: 56 - 26