Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Knicks are one star away from being a genuine contender

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 5/16/24

The New York Knicks are one win away from making it to the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, where the Boston Celtics will be waiting for them should they get past the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks' deep playoff run is especially interesting, as the team has found success despite Julius Randle being out with injury. It has also navigated OG Anunoby's absence while continuing to find ways to win.

Nevertheless, the Knicks won't be expected to overcome the Celtics if they can make the conference finals. Joe Mazzulla's team is widely viewed as having the most talented roster in the NBA. According to former Celtics champion Kendrick Perkins, the Knicks need one more All-Star player before they can be viewed as a genuine championship contender.

"Are they a championship team? No," Perkins said. "Because he [Jalen Brunson] doesn't have another All-Star-caliber player alongside of him. You get him a Robin, whether that's Julius Randle or they decide to make another move this offseason, absolutely he can lead the charge."

"He's unguardable. ... You get [Jalen Brunson] a Robin ... he can lead the charge." @KendrickPerkins says Brunson can be the No. 1 option on a championship team pic.twitter.com/iFoKFSxSL0
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 15, 2024

Should the two teams meet in the conference finals, Jalen Brunson will undoubtedly be a handful for the Celtics. However, the Knicks may be overpowered, especially if the Celtics lean into the scoring throughout their roster. It's not that the Knicks aren't talented enough, but rather that injuries have lessened their chances of causing an upset.

New York has added Anunoby, Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic over the course of the current season. Two of those additions, along with Randle, are currently dealing with injury. That's three primary rotation players who may not return to the court before the end of the season. When facing a roster as deep as that of the Celtics, being that shorthanded is a hammer blow.

Nevertheless, if the Knicks can add another elite talent to their rotation in the summer and that talent fits Tom Thibodeau's system, New York could be pushing for a championship in the very near future.

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