New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges controls the ball while Boston Celtics center Al Horford defends. Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Where Are Knicks in Preseason NBA Power Rankings?

Originally posted on New York Knicks on SI
By Jeremy Brener | Last updated Oct 4, 2025 4:00 PM ET

The New York Knicks have a lot of hype surrounding them as the preseason gets into full swing.

The Knicks are coming off of an Eastern Conference Finals appearance in the spring against the Indiana Pacers and a strong offseason to ensure that they remain a candidate for another deep playoff run. That's why Bleacher Report writer Andy Bailey has the Knicks slotted in at No. 6 in his initial preseason power rankings.

"The New York Knicks had one of the league's better top sixes last season. And Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson are all back," Bailey wrote.

"This year's roster has a little more depth, though, thanks to the additions of Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele. And early indications from coach Mike Brown suggest the offense may also be a bit more varied.

"Far too often, New York's attack boiled down to little more than Brunson isolating from the perimeter, and that became a bit too predictable by the postseason.

"More on-ball and creative opportunities for the rest of the rotation will make the Knicks a tougher out this coming spring."

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns speaks to the media during a media day press conference Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The only teams ranked higher than the Knicks are the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets and defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

It will be tough to crack the ceiling from the top five, but there's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Knicks that the other teams don't have. Other than the Rockets, who swapped out Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks for Kevin Durant, no other team had a massive transformation over the offseason.

The Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau days after their elimination from the Eastern Conference Finals and spent a few weeks trying to replace him. The Knicks landed on Mike Brown to be his replacement, giving him a chance to get the team across the finish line in its pursuit towards winning a championship.

The sooner the Knicks show progress in trying to overcome these obstacles, the more likely they are to move up higher in the NBA power rankings.

This article first appeared on New York Knicks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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