No Excuses: Why the Knicks Should Own the East Next Season
Realistically, the Knicks should win the Eastern Conference next season. The competitive landscape of the East has shifted dramatically due to a string of devastating injuries to marquee players. Jayson Tatum is expected to miss the majority of the season after suffering a torn Achilles during Boston’s playoff run. Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton suffered a similar injury during the NBA Finals, which will sideline him through the entirety of next year. Damian Lillard, recently released by Milwaukee, is also recovering from an Achilles tear and remains unsigned heading into the fall. With three of the East’s biggest stars either unavailable or off the board, the Knicks are suddenly looking at a path with significantly fewer roadblocks.
New York’s offseason improvements have positioned the franchise as perhaps the most well-rounded team in the conference. The hiring of Mike Brown ushered in a new system that prioritizes pace, spacing, and fluidity on offense. Gone are the rigid, isolation-heavy schemes of the Thibodeau era, replaced by a motion-based approach that creates higher-quality looks and shares responsibility across the floor. With players like Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Jordan Clarkson all capable of scoring in different ways, the Knicks now feature a multidimensional attack that can adapt to any defense. Brown’s system not only diversifies the offense but also reduces the physical toll on stars by avoiding overuse and encouraging smarter shot selection.
Defensively, the Knicks are expected to retain their trademark toughness while evolving into a more sophisticated unit under Brown’s leadership. His reputation for organizing detailed, adaptable defenses was built across successful stints with the Cavaliers, Warriors, and Kings. The Knicks have the personnel to thrive in those schemes, with long, switchable defenders like Anunoby and Bridges who are ready to disrupt opposing backcourts. By utilizing deeper rotations and better matchup management, New York can maintain defensive intensity without burning out its core players. With fatigue and injuries taking down rivals around the East, the Knicks’ ability to stay fresh could become a key difference-maker in the playoff race.
Depth has also become a newfound strength for this team. Bench scoring was a clear weakness last season, but low-cost signings like Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele bring immediate scoring punch and versatility to the second unit. Their presence, combined with the development of Miles McBride and the utility of Josh Hart, gives New York flexibility it lacked during critical moments of last year’s playoff run. The Knicks now have the pieces to stagger lineups effectively and survive extended minutes without their stars on the floor. For a team chasing postseason success, having a second unit that can hold or extend leads will be vital.
With rival contenders compromised and their roster deeper, smarter, and more dynamic than ever, the Knicks should be seen as the frontrunners in the East. Oddsmakers have taken notice, placing them among the league’s top five championship favorites. The combination of Brown’s system, the team’s health, and the East’s instability creates a perfect storm for New York to take control of the conference. No more waiting for windows to open or relying on underdog narratives, this is their opportunity. If the Knicks play to their potential, nothing short of a trip to the NBA Finals will suffice.
