Knicks' New Look: Can They Shake Off the Past?

The NBA offseason is almost over, and most teams have wrapped up their business. This means it's time to see where the Knicks stand compared to the rest of the league in the early 2025-26 power rankings. Some teams are in for a rough season. The Nets, for example, have made a series of questionable moves that have left them in a tough spot. They traded away key players and picks, and now they're stuck with a team that might struggle to win games. The Jazz and Raptors also have a long way to go before they can compete for a championship. Other teams think they can compete, but they might be in for a surprise. The Bulls, for instance, have a decent roster but might end up in the play-in tournament again. The Kings have some solid players, but they need to think about the future and whether they can land a key player like Jonathan Kuminga. A few teams are expected to be better than last season. The Blazers added Jrue Holiday, which should help their defense and win total. The Hawks traded for Kristaps Porzingis, which could finally push them into the top six in the East. The Pelicans' success will depend on how many games Zion Williamson can play, but adding firepower around him is a step in the right direction. The Hornets need LaMelo Ball to mature and focus on winning, not just highlights. The Suns have Devin Booker locked up long-term, but they might sell off competitive parts by the trade deadline. The Celtics will have to rely on Jaylen Brown as the No. 1 option, which is a tall order. The Pacers are in a tough spot after losing Tyrese Haliburton for the season and Myles Turner to Milwaukee. The Grizzlies are hoping new additions can fill the void left by Desmond Bane, which could make them a contender. The Warriors have Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, but their depth is a concern. The Heat always find a way to make a run, and the 76ers' success depends on Joel Embiid's health. The Bucks made some changes, like replacing Damian Lillard with Cole Anthony and upgrading to Myles Turner. The Spurs are expected to make the playoffs, with Victor Wembanyama in the MVP conversation. The Pistons believe they could've beaten the Knicks in the playoffs if Jaden Ivey was healthy. The Magic were hit hard by injuries last season, but adding Desmond Bane makes them a team to watch. The Lakers' success depends on Luka Doncic's fitness and whether there's drama around LeBron James. The Knicks have a new coach and added Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele. Can they finally make a run for their first title in over 50 years? The Mavericks have loads of firepower and can play both sides of the ball, especially if Kyrie Irving returns for the playoff push. The Clippers are deep at every position, and Kawhi Leonard is coming off his healthiest season in years. The Cavaliers will be without Darius Garland at the start of the season, but they could remind everyone of their lethality by the playoffs. The Timberwolves didn't make many upgrades, so they might have plateaued. The Rockets added Kevin Durant, solving their scoring problem. The Nuggets made some changes, like swapping Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson, which could give them new life. The Thunder are the team to beat, with a deep roster and the reigning MVP.