It almost feels fake to be able to call the New York Knicks the defending champions, but here we are. The orange and blue are looking to be a repeat champ for the first time since 2018, and they are looking to do it the same way the Warriors did: by running it back. They are returning their entire starting five, and nearly the only guy from their rotation last season who left is Mitchell Robinson. It is a true “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” situation.
Unfortunately for them, the East got better.
Where their rivals made moves, they did not. They were able to roll through a very weak Eastern Conference last season and caught a young San Antonio team who made many inexperienced mistakes that led directly to the Knicks taking home the Larry O’Brien. As crazy as it is to say, this will be a “prove it” year for New York. Was 2026 lightning in a bottle? Or was it something more sustainable? We are going to find out.
New York Knicks: Over/Under 51.5 wins (-115/-110)
To win the NBA Finals: +1000
Last Season: 53-29, won NBA Finals
Key Additions: Bruce Brown
Key Losses: Mitchell Robinson
The Knicks enter the season tied with Philadelphia for the third-lowest odds to win the championship. This is more of a reflection of how good Oklahoma City and San Antonio are and how hard it is to repeat, rather than an indictment of the Knicks. This is still a very good roster. I am a (sad) Jalen Brunson believer, and their wings are still in their primes. Bruce Brown should be a nice addition off the bench, adding another player who has been at the mountaintop. The East will be tough on a nightly basis. It has overtaken the West as the conference with talent everywhere. Despite this, continuity after an accomplishment like that bodes well for winning in the following year. Look at the Thunder last season; they started 24-1 after winning the title in 2025. The Knicks should not lose a step and will be motivated to show the league they should be taken seriously as a threat to win again.
