NBA Power Rankings: Knicks Reach Top 10?
The New York Knicks are nearly running it back with an identical core from last season.
Apart from trading Obi Toppin to the Indiana Pacers and signing Donte DiVincenzo from the Golden State Warriors, the Knicks have been rather quiet this offseason.
Despite their quiet offseason, the Knicks are expected to be among the best in the NBA this upcoming season. Bleacher Report slotted New York in just outside the top 10 at No. 11 in its recent power rankings.
"If RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, and Immanuel Quickley improve, as their ages suggest they should, the Knicks might've been better without making any moves at all," Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey writes. "But New York at least gave itself a better chance at a step forward by signing Donte DiVincenzo."
Teams that ranked ahead of the Knicks include the Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, and the reigning champion Denver Nuggets.
In order to get ahead of those teams before the start of the season, the Knicks would have to make a blockbuster trade, perhaps for a player like OG Anunoby or James Harden.
However, if the Knicks keep it together into the remainder of the offseason and training camp, New York will simply have to climb the ranks during the regular season. This year will provide a big test to see if this current iteration of the Knicks can be true contenders ... or if one more piece needs to be acquired in order to truly become one of the best in the NBA.
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