The reigning NBA champion New York Knicks are still trying to figure out if they will be the first team to visit the White House under President Donald Trump. That’s the word straight from head coach Mike Brown, who confirmed Tuesday that the organization is locked in an internal discussion about the traditional visit. This isn’t just a simple scheduling conflict; it’s a big deal after the president’s past with the league.
This Isn’t Your Granddad’s White House Visit
For decades, it was a given: Win the championship, get an invite to the White House. The Boston Celtics kicked things off way back in 1963, and basketball fan President Barack Obama hosted every single winner during his time in office. But things have changed. President Trump has broken with that tradition, and not a single NBA champ has visited during his first term or since his re-election in 2024. Remember 2018? Trump feuded with players like Stephen Curry and LeBron James, even saying he wouldn’t invite whoever won that year. Then, last season, the 2025 champion Oklahoma City Thunder skipped their visit, claiming the timing just didn’t work out. It’s not the same old handshake and photo op anymore.
Dolan’s Promise and the Team’s Reality
Here’s where it gets wild: Knicks owner James Dolan and President Trump are reportedly close. They even sat courtside together at Game 3 of the NBA Finals. And after the Knicks clinched the championship, Dolan hinted that an offer from the White House would absolutely be accepted. Fast forward to Tuesday, the first practice of the new season, and Coach Brown was asked point blank if a decision had been made. His response? “No, it’s still something that our guys, or the organization, is internally discussing and, you know, whatever we decide to do, we’ll all do together.” That’s a powerful 22 words, isn’t it? It tells you this isn’t a unilateral decision, despite what Dolan might have previously indicated. The Knicks do have games scheduled in Washington D.C. on December 18 and March 16, which are typical windows for such visits.
So, the question hangs in the air: will the Knicks break the recent trend and accept an invitation, or will they follow the path of past champions under President Trump? Their next chance to make that D.C. trip will be on December 18. This isn’t just about a ceremony; it’s about the team’s stance and unity moving forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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