After eliminating the Sixers from last year’s playoffs, the New York Knicks added a player infamous in Sixers lore to bolster their chances of winning it all. Do they have enough?
With most of the Sixers’ 2024-25 roster set well over a month before the start of a transformative free agency period, it’s time to assess their Eastern Conference rivals. Among last season’s Eastern playoff teams, which ones present the greatest challenges to the Sixers, and how do these teams compare to the revamped Sixers?
Next in line for evaluation is the New York Knicks, the team that ousted the Sixers from the playoffs last year.
The Knicks were knocked out by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs last year, largely due to a slew of injuries. Julius Randle missed the final months of the regular season and the entire playoffs, while OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson both had significant time off during the season and playoffs. Additionally, Bojan Bogdanovic was injured in the first round, and by the time the team was eliminated, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart were also hurt.
In their commitment to acquiring former Villanova Wildcats, the Knicks traded Bogdanovic along with a massive haul of assets—including five first-round picks and a pick swap—to the Brooklyn Nets for Mikal Bridges.
Despite adding Bridges, the Knicks chose to prioritize Anunoby over starting center Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency. Anunoby returned on a substantial five-year deal, while Hartenstein signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The most impactful move for the Knicks’ long-term prospects may have been convincing Brunson to sign a four-year extension at a rate well below his market value. This should enable them to eventually secure long-term deals for Bridges, Brunson, and Anunoby, with a chance for Randle to stay if a reasonable agreement can be reached.
**Roster Changes**
How will the Knicks differ next season, aside from Randle’s return to full health? Here’s what Knicks President Leon Rose accomplished in a busy offseason:
**Added:** Mikal Bridges (trade), Keita Bates-Diop (trade), Pacome Dadiet (No. 25 overall pick in the NBA Draft), Tyler Kolek (No. 34 overall pick in the NBA Draft), Cam Payne (free agency)
**Retained:** OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa
**Extended:** Jalen Brunson (four years, $156.5 million)
**Lost:** Isaiah Hartenstein, Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks, Shake Milton, Mamadi Diakite
A key question for the Knicks is how Randle will fit alongside both Bridges and the full-strength version of Brunson. Randle is a dominant offensive player but does not match Brunson’s scoring and playmaking abilities. With the NBA’s new punitive second apron rules, the Knicks might consider whether keeping Randle is worth it when they already have multiple top offensive players.
Hartenstein’s departure is particularly concerning, as he was a key player for the Knicks last season with his rebounding, rim protection, and passing skills. Losing him leaves the team with a more uncertain center depth. Robinson, although talented, struggles with injuries and is not as effective as Hartenstein. Achiuwa has been brought in as a backup center.
**Depth Chart Projection**
The Knicks have seven players who are unquestionably starting-caliber. Having Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart coming off the bench is a significant advantage, and rising star Miles “Deuce” McBride is progressing towards that level. Achiuwa serves as a reliable backup center, and Cam Payne provides additional ball-handling as a solid 10th man.
**Projected Depth Chart:**
– **PG:** Jalen Brunson
– **SG:** Mikal Bridges
– **SF:** OG Anunoby
– **PF:** Julius Randle
– **C:** Mitchell Robinson
– **Bench:** Miles McBride, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, Josh Hart, Precious Achiuwa, Cam Payne
**Concerns**
The center rotation is a potential weak spot. Robinson’s injury history is a concern, and while Achiuwa has the athleticism to be an acceptable backup, he may be better utilized in a change-of-pace role. Jericho Sims has yet to prove himself as a reliable rotation center.
**Matchup with the Sixers**
A potential playoff rematch between the Sixers and Knicks looks plausible, possibly as a second-round matchup with the winner advancing to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. This would be an exciting series, especially with Bridges and Paul George now in the mix.
The key storyline would be how each team manages its star players. For the Knicks, dealing with Embiid, who Hartenstein played a significant role against, will be challenging. Robinson, though capable, is prone to fouls and might struggle against the dominant Embiid. The Knicks do have strong perimeter defenders to handle George and Tyrese Maxey.
On the other hand, the Sixers have added more defenders who can challenge Brunson. Kelly Oubre Jr. played well against Brunson in the early playoff games last season, though Brunson eventually outperformed him. Caleb Martin and George could also provide defensive options against Brunson. If Randle resumes a significant offensive role, his physical style could pose problems for the Sixers, who lack size at power forward.
The Knicks appear to be a strong contender for the regular season, given their stability and fewer injury concerns. However, a playoff series between these two teams at full strength would be highly anticipated and thrilling.
Leave a Reply