How Knicks stack up to improved top of East early in 2024 offseason

The Knicks had a whirlwind of an offseason, shocking the NBA world by trading for Mikal Bridges, but now recovering from losing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency. Although it’s not over yet, we largely have an idea of what the top teams in the East will look like, and can analyze how the Knicks stack up with them.

First, let’s establish how much of a leap New York has taken this summer. The biggest boost will be the return of a healthy Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, the former missing the entirety of their 2024 playoff run.

Randle brings All-NBA production, a potent secondary offensive engine behind Jalen Brunson, and has the skillset to supplement some of the Hartenstein-centered actions. A healthy Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson set them up to be a top defensive squad.

The addition of Bridges gives the Knicks yet another wing weapon, someone that made an All-Defensive Second Team two years ago and is a reliable shooter and secondary creator. He’s a hand-in-glove fit culture-wise and on the court, and should make New York sure-fire contenders.

Their competition will be stiff.

Boston Celtics

Boston is still the cream of the crop, coming off a dominant championship run and offseason that saw them extend their entire core. The Knicks’ acquisition of Bridges was definitely pointed towards the Celtics, trying to match their wing depth and close the gap between them.

The good news is while New York wasn’t at Boston’s caliber last season, they’ve clearly improved while the Celtics should be about what they were. Whether the gap has fully closed is tough to project.

Milwaukee Bucks

We didn’t see the full extent of Milwaukee’s potential to close last season, as Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the first round of the playoffs, dropping the series to Indiana. The Knicks did beat a largely-healthy Bucks team late in the regular season, though, without Randle.

Given their regular season finish, additions to their team, and Milwaukee’s relative inactivity this summer, it shouldn’t be a stretch to think New York is the superior team. They have a laundry list of defensive wings to throw at the Bucks, are on the better…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/knicks-stack-improved-top-east-161306196.html

Author : SNY

Publish date : 2024-07-05 16:13:06

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