NBA · 1 year ago

Buy or Sell the New York Knicks to Win Eastern Conference?

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

Buy or Sell the New York Knicks to Win Eastern Conference?
This season will be stuck in the memory of Knicks’ fans as the first where they felt hope again, but I’m selling their chances of winning the East. I can’t trust Julius Randle to be a reliable number-two option come playoff time. Despite how great Jalen Brunson may be, I can’t imagine them having enough top-end firepower to compete with some of the other teams in the East, namely the Celtics. It’s been a fun ride in New York this season, and it may even continue beyond the second round, but I imagine that’s as far as it will go.
New York Knicks (33-22) Season Update
The New York Knicks are having their most memorable season in roughly a decade, and since the start of 2024, they’ve gone 15-5, cementing their status as one of the better teams in the East. Health will define how far they can go as OG Anunoby and Julius Randle are still sidelined. Still, led by Jalen Brunson, it’s impossible to count them out of any seven-game series come playoff time.
The Case For the Knicks As Eastern Conference Champions
Jalen Brunson has proven he can lead a team, so there is no doubt about what he could do come playoff time. After making a run to the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season, their limited playoff experience will pay dividends heading into this spring, and with their added depth pieces, who knows what is possible. OG Anunoby is much more than a depth piece, but his presence as the glue guy on both ends of the floor makes everything work for the Knicks' chemistry. Newly acquired Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks will be able to provide quality minutes off the bench. At the same time, guys like Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, and even Precious Achiuwa will be valuable too. Outside of the Celtics, it’s hard to name any team in the East that’s deeper and more well-rounded.
The Case Against the Knicks As Eastern Conference Champions
As incredible as Jalen Brunson is and as deep as this roster may be, do they have enough elite top-end talent to compete with the Celtics, an organized Bucks team, or even a 76ers team with a healthy Joel Embiid? I still can’t see it. Brunson is not someone I’m worried about, but can Julius Randle be counted on to produce consistently, and is OG Anunoby capable of trading offensive jabs with another team's third scorer? The Knicks are one more legitimate piece away from being a championship contender.
New York Knicks NBA Championship Odds & Insights
New York Knicks Eastern Conference Championship Odds

Opening Odds: +1600 | Current Odds: +700

Ticket%: 24.6% | Handle%: 33.1%

New York Knicks NBA Championship Odds

Opening Odds: +4000 | Current Odds: +1800

Ticket%: 3.6% | Handle%: 2.7%
Buy or Sell the New York Knicks to Win Eastern Conference?
This season will be stuck in the memory of Knicks’ fans as the first where they felt hope again, but I’m selling their chances of winning the East. I can’t trust Julius Randle to be a reliable number-two option come playoff time. Despite how great Jalen Brunson may be, I can’t imagine them having enough top-end firepower to compete with some of the other teams in the East, namely the Celtics. It’s been a fun ride in New York this season, and it may even continue beyond the second round, but I imagine that’s as far as it will go.
New York Knicks (33-22) Season Update
The New York Knicks are having their most memorable season in roughly a decade, and since the start of 2024, they’ve gone 15-5, cementing their status as one of the better teams in the East. Health will define how far they can go as OG Anunoby and Julius Randle are still sidelined. Still, led by Jalen Brunson, it’s impossible to count them out of any seven-game series come playoff time.

Buy or Sell the New York Knicks to Win Eastern Conference?

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