New York Knicks: Five reasons to love 2019 NBA free agency signings

1. Did enough happen for the Knicks to make the playoffs?

While more of a question than a reason to “love” what the New York Knicks did this offseason, they have the talent to play competitively in 2019-20. Players with postseason experienced were added, and most of them represent upgrades over who was in place for the previous year.

So, can this group take the Knicks to the playoffs for the first time since 2012-13?

FiveThirtyEight’s CARMELO projections already say otherwise, as they project a modest win increase for the upcoming season. It is enough to take them out of 30th place among 30 NBA teams, but far from the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference.

Around the Knicks, the Celtics, Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets are locks for the playoffs, leaving three spots. Depending on Victor Oladipo‘s health, the Indiana Pacers may join them. That creates a battle for seventh and eighth in the conference, with the Jimmy Butler-led Miami Heat, the rising Chicago Bulls, the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons around to compete.

That is a tough wall for New York to break, as these teams either just made the playoffs or have the pieces to make it competitive.

Perhaps the Knicks will surprise and take a step forward, though. This depth-rich team is, again, superior to last season’s team. While they have opponents to contest and move past for the full 82-game slate, these new players and potential improvements for the team’s young pieces could make this a team to follow from October to April 2020.