The Knicks are apparently still deciding whether to become the first NBA champs to visit President Trump’s White House.
Months after Knicks owner James Dolan said he accepted Trump’s invitation, Mike Brown, the team’s coach, said the organization hasn’t committed.
“No, that’s still something that our guys, the organization, is internally discussing,” Brown said. “Whatever we decide to do, we’ll all do together.”
Four previous NBA champs during the Trump Administration were either uninvited or skipped — the Warriors (twice), Raptors and Thunder.
Last year, the Thunder cited a “timing issue” for not visiting the White House. But scheduling conflicts can’t be a Knicks excuse this year. They have a day off before their first game in Washington against the Wizards on Dec. 18, followed by two days off before their next contest in New Orleans.
It’s in the middle of a road trip.
In 2018, the Warriors even visited former President Barack Obama instead of Trump. The year prior, Trump rescinded an invitation to the Warriors because star guard Stephen Curry expressed reluctance to go. Brown was the top Warriors assistant coach for both those titles.
Under President Biden, three of the four NBA champions visited the White House. The Nuggets skipped it after the White House postponed.
Dolan publicly declared on WFAN that he’d bring the 2026 champs to visit his buddy in Washington.
“I’ve known [Trump] for 30 years and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House,” Dolan said June 17, four days after the Knicks won the title.
Trump, a longtime Knicks fan, became the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game when he watched Game 3 at MSG from a suite. He was briefly shown on the jumbotron and jeered by the crowd.
Five days later, the Knicks ended a 53-year title drought by beating the Spurs in five games.
“Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four – Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball. Also, tonight, a superstar was born. His name is Jalen Brunson, and there are others, including Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and great Patriot, Mitchell Robinson!”
