The New York Knicks have had an eventful offseason, and it could culminate in a special season next year.
Over the past several weeks, the Knicks have been active looking for a new head coach while also trying to retool their roster. After making the Eastern Conference Finals this season, the Knicks were unlikely to make any significant changes to their roster.
While Mike Brown is in for Tom Thibodeau, any news on the roster has largely been about free agent signings to help with depth. With Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele headed to New York, the Knicks are projected to have one of the best rosters in the league next season.
Considering their recent success and solid moves in the offseason, the Knicks have plenty of believers around the league. In a recent ESPN article from Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps, they polled eight executives and scouts from around the league to rank their top four teams in the East.
Out of eight ballots, the Knicks earned a spot in the top four on each one. The most common response was the Knicks in second place, with one vote each in first, third and fourth. That also meant the Knicks had the only first-place vote that didn’t go to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With so many injuries to top players set to wreak havoc on the East’s playoff picture next season, it could be a perfect opportunity for the Knicks to take a leap and become the top team in the conference. While only time will tell how the season plays out, it’s at least encouraging that the Knicks have the approval of some front office folks around the league.