Oddsmakers have given the Knicks their highest projected win total since the 1993/94 preseason, according to Dylan Svoboda of The New York Post. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, New York’s projected over/under line is set at 53.5 victories. In ’93/94, they were projected to win 56 games. They racked up 57 victories and advanced all the way to the Finals.
Only once in the 21st century have the Knicks previously been projected to win 50 or more games in a season, in 2012/13. They won 54 contests that year and fell in the second round of the postseason.
Last year’s Knicks surpassed preseason expectations, thanks in large part to an All-NBA Second Team turn from point guard Jalen Brunson and a third All-Star season from power forward Julius Randle, plus a utilitarian, switchable rotation around that dynamic duo.
Among preseason over/unders, New York trails only the reigning champion Celtics, whose line is listed at 58.5, wins and the Thunder, who are at 56.5 wins. Boston and Oklahoma City were the top seeds in their respective conferences last season.
There’s more out of New York:
- Draft-and-stash prospect Rokas Jokubaitis played in the Las Vegas Summer League for New York this month for the second time since being drafted by the team in 2021. When it became apparent that there was no roster space available for him, the 6’4″ guard inked a three-season deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv, a deal which includes an NBA out every year until August 1, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link).
- With former Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein departing for the Thunder this summer, Mitchell Robinson projects to return to the starting lineup for New York, which doesn’t have an obvious No. 2 option at the five. According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, the team doesn’t necessarily need to address that issue by finding a permanent solution this offseason. Re-signing free agent big man Precious Achiuwa, who can play small-ball center, could be a short-term fix and the Knicks could revisit the trade market during the season, Katz writes.
- In case you missed it, former Pistons assistant coach Mark Bryant is joining head coach Tom Thibodeau‘s staff.
Lol man y’all love Hartenstein. Mitchell Robinson started like 90% of the games he played over the past 4yrs. He was the starter & Hartenstein was his backup.
The writer from the Athletic said it…..
Why do you need to accuse folks. Have some faith man.
Mitchell needs a solid 7ft backup or the Knicks are gonna get eaten alive in the playoffs!!!!!!
What is taking achiuwa so long?!
There’s no need for him to rush to sign a minimum deal if he could make more if the Knicks need matching salary in a sign-and-trade. It’s in both parties’ best interest to wait.
Mitch is unreliable. Why they don’t realize that yet ia beyond me.
@Lucky. I’ve been wondering that myself
Knicks tea leafs telling me. They will sign-trade Precious. Just seems like they want to upgrade at Center.
I’m good with a backup for Mitch. And sign Precious to backup Randle.
Since Knicks don’t need Rokas now. I’m surprised they don’t use him a trade. Or teams don’t want him on their roster.
I’d take the over with the Knicks (53.5)
IMO Knicks should have traded up for Ware in the draft. unfortunately Miami got lucky to take him. Ware and Precious would have made the Knicks complete