New York Knicks Confirm Departure of Five Players Ahead of New Season
The New York Knicks have officially confirmed the departure of five players as part of their roster reshuffling in preparation for the 2024-2025 NBA season. The team made the announcement on Monday, signaling a new chapter in their pursuit of playoff success and roster improvement.
The five players leaving the team are veteran point guard **Derrick Rose**, forward **Evan Fournier**, center **Isaiah Hartenstein**, forward **Obi Toppin**, and guard **Miles McBride**. While some departures were anticipated, the move comes as part of a broader strategy to clear cap space and provide younger players with more playing time.
Rose, who has been with the Knicks since 2021, will leave the team after a productive but injury-plagued stint. The former MVP played a significant role as a mentor for younger players but saw reduced minutes last season. Fournier, who joined the Knicks in 2022, struggled to find consistent playing time in 2023-2024, especially under head coach Tom Thibodeau’s defensive-oriented system. Both players are expected to seek new opportunities on contending teams.
Toppin, the former lottery pick, has been a source of trade speculation for much of the offseason. Despite flashes of potential, Toppin was often buried behind Julius Randle on the depth chart, limiting his development. Hartenstein, an important part of the Knicks’ bench rotation last season, and McBride, a promising young guard, also find themselves on the move as the team looks to make room for new acquisitions.
With these departures, the Knicks will have additional flexibility to explore trade opportunities or free-agent signings as they look to further strengthen their roster for the upcoming season. The front office remains focused on building around star players **Julius Randle** and **Jalen Brunson**, hoping to solidify their position as a playoff contender in the highly competitive Eastern Conference.
