New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown says the team will make a collective decision on a potential White House visit to meet President Donald Trump. The reigning NBA champions were invited to revive the tradition, which the league largely avoided during Trump's previous terms.
Brown told reporters the Knicks would work together on this choice. He emphasized a unified team approach, indicating players and staff would all have input. The tradition typically sees champions visit Washington D.C. In August, but the Knicks have not yet made the trip. This delay led many fans to speculate they had declined the invitation from the start.
Owner James Dolan, a longtime friend of Trump, had previously hinted the team would attend after extending the invitation. Trump was also a guest of Dolan's at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. That game was the only one the Knicks lost in the series.
If the Knicks agree to go, they would be the first NBA team to visit the White House during Trump's presidency. They'd also be the first champions honored there since the 2024 Boston Celtics. The league's relationship with the White House became strained after 2017, with most teams opting out of visits.
The team is performing at an elite level. Since then, they've been nearly flawless. They swept a series against the Cavaliers, winning 115-104 on May 20, 109-93 on May 22, 121-108 on May 24, and the aforementioned 130-93 blowout on May 26.
The collective focus appears to be on the court, not political ceremonies.
The White House decision remains pending. Brown's comments suggest internal discussions are ongoing, and the outcome is not a foregone conclusion despite Dolan's earlier optimism. The team's primary concern is maintaining their championship form on the hardwood.
With key players like Jalen Brunson leading the charge, the Knicks' on-court product is the main story. Whether that unity extends to a unanimous decision off the court is the immediate question facing Coach Brown and his squad.
