The New York Knicks showed last season that they have what it takes to make it deep into the playoffs. They made it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000. Unfortunately for the team, they faced a red-hot Indiana Pacers team led by Tyrese Haliburton. They were sent home by the Pacers, the team that represented the East in the Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This past offseason, the front office kept their core players of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. Productive role players like Josh Hart, Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson are all still part of the team. During free agency, the front office acquired Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele to deepen their bench unit.
The only major difference for the New York team is their head coach. Management fired Tom Thibodeau, who was with them for five seasons. The organization replaced him with Mike Brown, who last worked with the Sacramento Kings during the 2024-25 season, but was fired during the middle of the season.
With only one significant change to the team, former NBA star Reggie Miller predicts that the Knicks can be the team that represents the East in the Finals. Miller believes the team has what it takes to make it to the final round of the postseason.
“I will say this, cause people always think that I hate on the Knicks, which I do not, I love the Knicks,” Miller said. “If the Knicks cannot get out of the Eastern Conference this year, something is wrong!”
According to the former Pacers star, there’s only one team that could pose as a problem for New York next season.
Miller predicts the Cavaliers to be a problem for the Knicks
It could be a weaker Eastern Conference this season, given that the Pacers and the Boston Celtics aren’t predicted to be significant threats. According to Miller, there is one team in the East that could pose as a problem for the Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Cleveland had the best record a year ago…they kept their core intact, but they’re still unproven in the playoffs,” Miller said. “To me, the Knicks with their new coach in Mike Brown and the best clutch player in the game from a year ago in Jalen Brunson, I just think everything is set up for the Knicks to win the East. Now again, you’ve gotta go out there and actually do it, but I think this is the year for the Knicks in the East, guys.”
Last season, the Cavs were atop the conference, with a 64-18 record. New York, on the other hand, finished third with a 51-31 record. With the East being “open,” critics and fans expect it to be an intense battleground this season.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
