Chances are there are plenty of New York Knicks fans reading this that have yet to witness an NBA championship. Fifty years have passed, and the Knicks are still searching for their third title.
Since 2000, the various front office regimes did more to keep the team away from another championship than they did to help push them toward one. That’s since changed under Leon Rose, who has been a key proponent of the culture shift and winning mentality in New York.
The Knicks aren’t being talked about as a championship contender, and even without trading for a star, they could shock the world this year.
4 Reasons the Knicks’ season could end with a championship in 2024
4: Eastern Conference drama
The East got tougher with Damian Lillard’s arrival, but the trade left several other conference teams dealing with the ripple effects. The Heat were Lillard’s preferred destination, and are trying to work through the aftermath of missing out on another star.
Then there’s the Sixers, who need to be in desperation mode to ensure Joel Embiid’s happiness amid the James Harden saga. Philadelphia was the No. 3 team in the East last season, and it’s hard to envision the team finishing in a similar position in 2023-24. Harden hasn’t shied away from holding out to get what he wants in the past, so his ongoing Daryl Morey feud will continue to be a source of entertainment for NBA fans.
The regular season doesn’t always matter for teams like Miami, with Erik Spoelstra possessing the ability to turn just about any roster into one capable of making a deep playoff run. However, for Philadelphia, a poor first half of the season could lead to an Embiid trade request, a dream scenario for New York.
If the Knicks could acquire Embiid before the trade deadline, that’d instantly increase their chances of winning a title. That’s a long shot, but the more teams like Philadelphia and Miami stick out for the wrong reasons, the better.