NBA: 5 teams who can make a return to the playoffs in 2018-19

NBA Phoenix Suns Devin Booker (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
NBA Phoenix Suns Devin Booker (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
4 of 6
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Kevin Knox speaks with media after being drafted ninth overall by the New York Knicks during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Kevin Knox speaks with media after being drafted ninth overall by the New York Knicks during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

New York Knicks

Although Kristaps Porzingis is still recovering from a torn ACL, suffered last season, the New York Knicks aren’t completely out of playoff contention this upcoming season. New York shouldn’t expect Kristaps to play at all in 2018-19, but if he does anything is really a bonus.

Kevin Knox was able to show Knicks fans some promise for the upcoming season as he will likely shoulder the load on offense until the return of their Unicorn.

Due to LeBron’s departure from the Eastern Conference, the Knicks’ chances are higher as long as they are able to retain their young core in the summer of 2019 and sign a superstar free agent(s).

The Knicks are quietly becoming an interesting destination again, and could really make a splash by surprising some teams in the East this year.