Andre Drummond takes his place with the Knicks as the NBA champions’ lone newcomer of note

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — The New York Knicks are still considering whether they will be the first NBA champions to visit the White House under President Donald Trump, according to coach Mike Brown, who spoke on Tuesday. The president has typically invited the reigning champions, but that tradition has not been followed under Trump.

No team undertook a visit during his first term or after his re-election in 2024. However, Trump and Knicks owner James Dolan share a close relationship; they were together when Trump watched Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, and after the Knicks won the championship, Dolan had indicated that an offer would be accepted.

The Knicks resumed their pre-season practice on Tuesday, and Brown was asked about a potential White House visit. "No, it's still something our guys, or the organization, is internally discussing and, whichever decision we make, we'll all do together," Brown stated. In 1963, the Boston Celtics were the first NBA champions to make the trip, and President Barack Obama hosted the winner every year while he was in office.

Trump, however, has had conflicts with some NBA players; during the 2018 NBA Finals, he stated he wouldn't invite the winner after Golden State's Stephen Curry and LeBron James, then with the Cleveland Cavaliers, expressed no interest in a visit. The 2025 champions, Oklahoma City Thunder, declined the White House visit last season, citing timing issues.

Teams typically aim to schedule their visit when they play the Wizards in Washington, with the Knicks set to play the Wizards on December 18 and March 16.