The New York Knicks finished second in the Eastern Conference last season with an injury-plagued roster. It wasn’t easy, but securing that spot again next season will be even more difficult after an offseason in which the conference improved.
Boston is considered the favorite The Celtics won the Eastern Conference after retaining their champion starting five and role players, but finishing on top won’t be easy for them. Their rivals will challenge them in a way they haven’t in the playoffs.
There’s no guarantee that Boston will be the best team in the East, and there’s no guarantee that New York will finish in the top two, or even the top three, again. A lot can happen in an 82-game season. Who is the Knicks’ main competition in the conference?
5. Orlando Magic
The Magic quietly had one of the best offseasons in the league. They didn’t make a blockbuster, headline-grabbing trade, but they did sign two-time champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a three-year deal. Orlando also re-signed Goga Bitadze, Moritz Wagner and Gary Harris. Franz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac signed extensions.
Paolo Banchero said he not only thinks the Magic can finish in the top three of the conference, but he believes his team can win the East. While it may seem like a stretch, Orlando will be a threat. The playoff experience the Magic gained last season will be valuable to their young players like Banchero.
Orlando started last season with a bang. It will be interesting to see how the Magic’s full season plays out. They finished in 5th place in the conference in 2023-24. It wouldn’t be surprising if Orlando finished in the same spot next season, but it also wouldn’t be surprising if the team finished one spot higher.
