Being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame is an unparalleled honor for any NBA superstar.
Former New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony was recently bestowed with this honor as part of the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame class.
With Melo enjoying a 19-year stint in the NBA as one of the most prolific scorers of all time, it makes sense for him to receive this honor.
Speaking of the Knicks, are there any current members of the roster who could receive this honor in the future?
Zach Kram on Karl-Anthony Towns’ chances of getting into the Basketball Hall of Fame
Right now, former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Karl-Anthony Towns, is arguably the most accomplished star on the Knicks’ roster.
At 29 years old, Towns is a 5x NBA All-Star, 3x All-NBA, and 2015-16 NBA Rookie of the Year. But is this resume enough for the Knicks’ center to get inducted into the Hall of Fame?
“He’s a 7-footer with a 40% career 3-point stroke, and he’s one of only 22 players in league history with career averages of 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds per game,” ESPN’s Zach Kram wrote.
Kram pointed out that the 21 players who have averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game are already in the Hall of Fame or are currently active in the NBA. While it’s a great accomplishment, KAT’s resume still has various holes in it.
“On the downside, Towns’ hardware, which consists of a Rookie of the Year trophy, five All-Star selections and three third-team All-NBA nods, isn’t yet at the Hall of Fame standard, and his playoff record is lacking.
“Taken all together, it seems Towns needs a few more strong seasons to reach lock territory. Boosting the Knicks to the Finals would certainly help,” Kram added.
All things considered, an NBA Finals run is a much-needed accomplishment for Towns to be considered a lock as a future Hall of Famer.
Jalen Brunson has a ‘long way to go’ before becoming Hall of Fame worthy, says Zach Kram
The next notable superstar on the Knicks’ roster who could one day be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame is none other than Jalen Brunson.
Brunson has risen to stardom since joining the Knicks in 2022. In fact, he has averaged 26.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game since the move.
However, Brunson is already 29 years old, and his 2x NBA All-Star and All-NBA selections aren’t Hall of Fame worthy, per Kram.
“Brunson is the group’s newest riser, a late bloomer with All-Star selections and top-10 MVP finishes in the past two seasons. The Knicks captain has a long way to go,” Kram continued.
“He’s still shy of 10,000 career points, but he’s on the upswing, and like Towns, he could make giant strides this season if he can propel the Knicks to the Finals through a shallow Eastern Conference,” the ESPN expert concluded.
Reaching the 2026 NBA Finals seems to be the key for KAT and Brunson to bolster their HOF chances. But for that to happen, Towns and Brunson have to improve their chemistry ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.
