Bill Simmons’ Bold Idea Could Clear a Direct Path to the NBA Finals for the Knicks
It has been more than three decades since the New York Knicks have had a clearer runway to the NBA Finals than they do right now. Through the early portion of the 2025-26 season, New York sits second in the Eastern Conference at 20-8, owns one of the league’s best point differentials, and has watched two traditional conference powers in Boston and Indiana lose momentum due to injuries.
Now, a theory floated by Bill Simmons could make that road even smoother.
If it comes to pass, it would remove one of the Knicks’ most dangerous potential postseason obstacles altogether.
A Cavs Shake-Up Could Reshape the East
On a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Simmons discussed the increasingly uncomfortable situation facing the Cleveland Cavaliers. Once viewed as a long-term contender after acquiring Donovan Mitchell in 2022, Cleveland has struggled to meet expectations this season.
Through 29 games, the Cavaliers sit at 15-14, outside the top tier of the East, despite carrying the highest payroll in the NBA at roughly $232 million. Under the constraints of the new collective bargaining agreement, that financial reality severely limits their flexibility.
Simmons described Cleveland as “a team that’s really hard to fix,” pointing to second-apron restrictions and a roster that appears stuck in neutral. He also noted visible frustration from key players, including Mitchell.
That led Simmons to propose what he called the “nuclear option.”
Trading Donovan Mitchell Changes Everything
Simmons argued that Cleveland may eventually be forced to consider trading Mitchell rather than continuing to pay an enormous tax bill for a team hovering around the play-in line.
Keeping the roster intact, according to Simmons, could cost the Cavaliers more than $160 million in luxury taxes alone, pushing total expenses toward $400 million for a season that could end in a first-round exit.
From Cleveland’s perspective, such a move would signal a reset. From New York’s perspective, it would be a gift.
Why This Matters for the Knicks
Even amid their uneven start, the Cavaliers are still viewed by oddsmakers as one of the biggest threats standing between the Knicks and the Finals. A healthy Mitchell paired with Kenny Atkinson’s coaching gives Cleveland a ceiling that few teams in the conference can match.
If Mitchell were moved, that threat would vanish almost overnight.
A Mitchell trade would almost certainly trigger a broader rebuild in Cleveland, removing yet another high-end competitor from the Eastern Conference picture. With Boston and Indiana already dealing with uncertainty, the Knicks’ path would become far less congested.
A Rare Opportunity for New York
None of this guarantees a Finals appearance. But timing matters, and so does circumstance.
If Cleveland ultimately prioritizes financial stability over chasing a low-probability postseason surge, the ripple effects would heavily favor New York. The Knicks would still need to finish the job themselves, but one of the final gates blocking their path could disappear without them lifting a finger.
Sometimes the clearest roads are created not by your own moves, but by someone else pulling the plug.
