As the NBA season is about to kick off this week it can get lost in the shuffle of the sports calendar. In New York especially with the Yankees going to the World Series, the Mets with their deep playoff run, the Islanders and Rangers taking people's attention, college football and more the Knicks season could get lost on people.
This Knicks team should make people take notice though. Not only were the Knicks one of the best teams in the league last season, but they made a headline grabbing trade in the off season.
The Knicks ended the year with a 50-32 record and then traded Bojan Bogdanovic and five first-round picks to the Nets for Mikal Bridges. That wasn't enough for New York as they then dealt star Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo plus a first-round pick, to the Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns.
While Towns certainly grabs the headlines it's not all upside for the big man. He shoots at a remarkable rate, but New York will definitely lose something on the defensive side of the ball. That area was a plus positive for them last season, which got them to the 50 wins.
This year their wins total is set at 55. A lofty number for any team and for the Knicks it's a number that hasn't been reached in a very long time. New York should have a very good season, but you're paying for an elevated line because of the over. Overs in the preseason are often juiced up and with the Towns news, and being the Knicks and their fan base this one is about 5 games higher than it should be. The under looks like a better bet with moving parts trying to find themselves early in the season.
With that said it's not crazy to think that the Knicks could be playing for a championship this year once they do gel. The Knicks are 8 to 1 odds to win it all, and sit in that ranger where they are valued correctly. If you are worried about the Western Conference you can get them to win the East at more than 4 to 1, and to win the Atlantic nets you +220.