NBA: Ranking the Eastern Conference after free agency

Milwaukee Bucks Giannis (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)
Milwaukee Bucks Giannis (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)
9 of 16
New York Knicks
New York Knicks RJ Barrett (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

8. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks have been in the news lately and it’s for all the good reasons. Or, for the most part. New York added Jalen Brunson in free agency and may be on the verge of acquiring Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz via trade.

As for now, I ranked the Knicks without Mitchell. As they currently stand, they’re a likely playoff team that will have to play their way in. What can change everything is if RJ Barrett makes another jump in his progression.

If that does happen and the Knicks acquire Mitchell, they will have the chance to be a very dangerous team in the Eastern Conference. And, whether you like it or not, the NBA is a better product when the Knicks are in the playoff mix.