One of the best stories of the 2025 NBA Playoffs is the New York Knicks’ organizational turnaround that has led them to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. New York stunned the basketball world by taking care of the Celtics in six games. It was one of the biggest upsets in recent memory, but these Knicks still have two series left to scale the mountaintop. Funnily enough, NY’s breakthrough to the Final Four isn’t their only representation in the league’s remaining elite. New York is well-represented across the bracket’s four squads.
Knicks and Former Knicks Dominating Conference Finals Rosters
Each Remaining Team Has A Former Knick
If you needed any more proof of the tremendous competency of the newly minted Knicks front office, just take a look at the four rosters still standing. Not only are the current, freshly built Knicks surging through the postseason, but four other players are filling important roles on the other three teams.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo
The Minnesota Timberwolves have impressed this playoff run, beating both the Warriors and Lakers in five games. Former Knicks Julius Randle (37.6 MPG) and Donte DiVincenzo (25.8 MPG) are both huge parts of the Wolves’ rotation. Randle is their second star, silencing all the doubters about his playoff abilities by averaging 23.9 PPG on 50.9% shooting from the field. DiVincenzo comes off the bench but often closes games for the Wolves. He’s arguably their fifth-best player and is part of the trusted lineup Chris Finch employs in the clutch.
Both DiVincenzo and Randle bring that New York grit to their game, which fits in perfectly with the Wolves’ style of play. They’re a hard-nosed team that attacks everything in front of them, and the two former Knicks are an integral part of that.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Isaiah Hartenstein
One of the most underrated roster changes New York endured in 2024 was the loss of big man Isaiah Hartenstein. After trading for Mikal Bridges and extending OG Anunoby, NY simply didn’t have enough money to bring back Hartenstein, who signed a lucrative three-year, $87M contract in Oklahoma City.
For as big of a loss as it was for New York, who lost some of their defensive identity until Mitchell Robinson returned from injury, it has been just as large of a gain for OKC. Hartenstein has brought a ton of value on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he provides a pick-and-roll outlet for OKC’s guards, as he’s an excellent short-roll playmaker and finisher. His floater is among the best in the league. Defensively, he beefs up the Thunder’s frontline after they were badly out-muscled in their second-round loss to Dallas in 2024. He and Chet Holmgren now form a fierce front-court duo both defensively and on the glass. Hartenstein was a big part of slowing down Nikola Jokic in their seven-game victory.
Indiana Pacers: Obi Toppin
New York’s East Finals opponent also features a former Knick who helped build the franchise that it is today. Taken in the first round of the 2020 draft, Obi Toppin played three seasons in New York. Although he was never able to reach his potential under Tom Thibodeau, especially being stuck behind Julius Randle on the depth chart, Toppin left NY a fan favorite for his athletic feats. He’ll always be remembered for his incredible dunking ability, but also performed well in the 2021 and 2023 playoff runs. Toppin now plays a big role on the Pacers (8.5 PPG in 16.0 MPG). He fits perfectly in their run-and-gun offense led by Tyrese Haliburton.
The Last Word
The fact that the Knicks are not only in the Conference Finals themselves, but also have four former players thriving on their own teams in the Final Four, is a nod to the progress Leon Rose has made with this franchise. Rose just seems to have a knack for identifying talent that will work under Tom Thibodeau’s development system. Almost every player who comes into New York improves, and now some of those guys are ascending on other teams. We’ll see which former (or current) Knick wins their first championship.
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