2. New York Knicks
Even though the New York Knicks fell short of making the Eastern Conference Finals this past season, they're a team to keep an eye on heading into the offseason and then eventually next year. Assuming they don't fumble the OG Anunoby situation, this is a team that is going to head into next year with huge expectations. Even more so if they're able to add another difference-maker at some point this offseason. If it wasn't for injuries, the Knicks probably have made the conference finals and might've given the Celtics the biggest run for their money.
But we may not be able to know that for certainty until next year's NBA Playoff run. The Knicks will have to prove their worth and talent. With the way they played when healthy during the second half of the season, it's hard to deny this team's potential to emerge as a huge headache in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks' time could be coming. It wouldn't be all that surprising to see the Knicks make it back to the NBA Finals in the next 1-2 seasons. And they could end up being the biggest hurdle toward a Celtics dynasty in the East.