One of the big winners following the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline was the New York Knicks. They made a sizable move, acquiring Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic from the Detroit Pistons, filling the remaining voids on their roster.
New York was lacking shot creation behind Jalen Brunson, something Burks and Bogdanovic will both help provide. They also give Tom Thibodeau some reliable, veteran depth to lean on with injuries ravaging the team ahead of the NBA All-Star Break.
The Knicks are expecting to get some reinforcements once they return to action next week against the Philadelphia 76ers as some of the injuries their players were dealing with weren’t considered serious. The ones that were serious, Mitchell Robinson, Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, have all had positive updates recently.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Boston Celtics, 2024 NBA Playoffs, New York Knicks Updates
It will be interesting to see how this New York team looks when everyone is healthy. Following the acquisition of Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn from the Toronto Raptors ahead of the New Year, the Knicks took off.
Through January 27th, the last night Anunoby and Randle were both in the lineup, the Knicks went 12-2. That stretch showed just how dominant this team can be when healthy, and they will be even deeper following their deadline acquisitions.
How has that changed the perception around them when it comes to NBA analysts? Some, such as Zach Lowe, believe they are legitimate contenders. On a recent episode of the Lowe Post Pod, Lowe said he is still picking the Boston Celtics to win the NBA Championship, but the Knicks can scare them in a seven-game series.
“I’m still picking Boston to win the title…I do think the Knicks can scare the Celtics…give them a real series––if they get there, that’s the problem…I think the Knicks could beat any team in the East in a 7-game series…not a good chance to beat Boston…but the others…Something about their style of play’s very bothersome…They’re physical, pound you, go 1-on-1, don’t turn the ball over, win the possession game every single game…If we woke up & that was a playoff series…Game 7 in Boston…I wouldn’t be shocked. Would you?,” Lowe said to his guest, Steve Jones Jr.
Jones echoed the same sentiments as Lowe. He, too, is high on this Knicks team and believes that New York could go into Boston and win Game 1 of a series. The Celtics advancing to the Finals is also the prediction Jones is making, but does question if something could trip them up along the way.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Boston Celtics, 2024 NBA Playoffs, New York Knicks Updates
“No. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Knicks won Game 1 in Boston…I have Boston going to the Finals…My question is now, can we get Boston in a scenario where they get in their own way…”
The Knicks showed what they are capable of when healthy, steamrolling opponents on a regular basis. One of their two losses with Anunoby in the lineup came without All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, who is the engine that makes this machine go in New York.
Getting healthy is the No. 1 priority for the Knicks right now. If they can do that, they are a team that no one in the NBA is going to want to face off against in a playoff series.
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