Mayor Honors Former Knicks
New York City Mayor Mamdani Praises Former Knicks, Including Barrett and Quickley, During Championship Parade
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani gave a surprise shoutout to Toronto Raptors players RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley during the New York Knicks' NBA championship parade on June 18, 2026. The pair, now playing in Canada, were key Knicks before being traded to Toronto in late 2023 — a move that ultimately helped build the championship roster. Sports Illustrated reported that Mamdani called them part of "the trades that set the stage for this title."
The parade capped the Knicks' first NBA title in 53 years, earned after a 4-1 series win over the San Antonio Spurs. Jalen Brunson, named Finals MVP after scoring 45 points in the clinching Game 5, led a team that had been rebuilt around a series of bold front-office moves, according to National Post.
Mamdani's Speech Honored Knicks Past and Present
Speaking at City Hall after the Canyon of Heroes ticker-tape parade, Mayor Mamdani went deep into Knicks history. He praised legends like Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, and Jeremy Lin. He also gave credit to former coach Tom Thibodeau, saying he built the team's defensive identity. Toronto Sun noted the speech was widely called "special" for recognizing players who never won a title with the team.
Mamdani also shouted out Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle alongside Barrett and Quickley. The mayor framed all four as essential pieces of the puzzle. "We must recognize the fibers of 50-plus years," he said, according to Sault This Week. The crowd responded warmly to the deep-cut references.
The Barrett-Quickley Trade That Built a Champion
In late 2023, the Knicks sent Barrett and Quickley to Toronto to get OG Anunoby. At the time, many fans were upset. Barrett had been a homegrown star. Quickley was a fan favorite. But Knicks President Leon Rose saw a bigger picture, according to Leader Post.
After landing Anunoby, the team added Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. That group became the core of the title team. The Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit in Game 4 — the largest comeback in NBA Finals history — before closing out the Spurs 94-90 in Game 5. Mike Brown, the Knicks' head coach, made key tactical adjustments to slow Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, per Prince George Post.
Mayor Mamdani and James Dolan's Tense Backdrop
The parade was not without political tension. Knicks owner James Dolan and Mayor Mamdani had clashed in the lead-up to the celebration over watch parties and security arrangements at Madison Square Garden. Dolan accepted a Key to the City but reportedly refused a photo-op with the mayor, according to Brantford Expositor.
Dolan pushed back during his own speech, saying, "I don't need your vote." Mamdani, sworn in as NYC's 112th mayor on January 1, 2026, used the moment to connect with everyday New Yorkers. The Knicks are now valued at $9.75 billion, making them the third-most valuable team in the NBA, per The Sudbury Star.
Brunson Cements His Place as King of New York
Jalen Brunson averaged 32.6 points per game in the Finals. He went 13-of-15 from the free-throw line in Game 5. "Whenever someone counted us out, we found a way to come back," Brunson said after the title. Analysts have placed him alongside Walt Frazier and Patrick Ewing in the pantheon of great Knicks, according to Sault Star.
For Barrett and Quickley, now members of the Raptors, the shoutout from Mamdani was a public acknowledgment of their role in the team's long road to a title. They helped build something they did not get to finish. The mayor made sure New York did not forget that.
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