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Jalen Brunson (11) of the New York Knicks speaks with teammates during a timeout against the Indiana Pacers as New York prepares for its playoff series.

The New York Knicks are preparing for the playoffs — while also quietly looking ahead.

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks have begun hosting pre-draft workouts, becoming one of the earliest teams in the league to evaluate prospects ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft.

The group includes Georgia Tech’s Kowacie Reeves Jr., Iona’s Toby Harris, Syracuse’s William Kyle, Mississippi State’s Jayden Epps and Marshall’s Wyatt Fricks.

The timing is notable. New York is set to open its first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, making the early start to draft evaluations an unusual overlap of present and future priorities.

Knicks Pre-Draft Workouts Begin Ahead of Playoffs

New York enters the offseason with valuable draft capital.

The Knicks control their own first-round pick, projected around No. 24 overall, along with the No. 31 pick — the first selection in the second round — after the Washington Wizards secured the league’s worst record and their own second-round selection.

Those picks provide an opportunity to add young, cost-controlled talent to a roster already facing financial constraints.

According to ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks, the Knicks are among seven teams projected to pay the luxury tax, with an estimated $44.4 million penalty.

Frontcourt Focus Could Signal Knicks’ Offseason Plans

GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks heads for the net as Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks defends.

The makeup of the workout group may offer a clearer hint at New York’s thinking.

Except for Epps, the prospects invited are primarily frontcourt players — a trend that aligns with key decisions looming for the roster.

Center Mitchell Robinson is set to enter free agency, creating uncertainty around one of the Knicks’ primary interior pieces. His status could influence how aggressively the team targets size and depth in both the draft and free agency.

Beyond that, the Knicks have been confirmed to have had trade talks for Giannis Antetokounmpo last offseason — a possibility expected to resurface if New York falls short of a championship this season.

Any move for Antetokounmpo would likely require significant roster changes, potentially involving high-salaried players such as Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby.

In that context, the Knicks’ early emphasis on frontcourt prospects could reflect preparation for multiple roster outcomes depending on how the postseason unfolds.

Playoff Focus Meets Long-Term Planning

The Knicks finished the regular season at 53-29 but now face a more challenging first-round matchup than expected.

New York will take on an Atlanta team that presents a different test compared to the Toronto Raptors, whom the Knicks dominated during the regular season.

The Hawks’ athleticism and defensive versatility have posed problems for New York at times, even as the Knicks went 2-1 in the season series.

Big Picture: Knicks Balancing Present and Future

The overlap between playoff preparation and draft scouting underscores the balancing act facing the Knicks.

While the focus remains on advancing against the Hawks, the organization is also laying the groundwork for potential offseason moves — whether that means retaining key pieces, reshaping the roster or pursuing a major addition.

The early start to pre-draft workouts may be unconventional, but it reflects a broader reality: success in the modern NBA requires planning beyond the current series.

As the Knicks prepare for the postseason, they are not only chasing a deep playoff run — they are also positioning themselves for what comes next.