New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson smiles during the New York Knicks Championship Parade through the Canyon of Heroes.
Brenden Willsch-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks are the defending NBA champions. Two months later, and it is still something to savor.
With the 2026-27 NBA season around the corner, New York will be counted on to repeat. However, ESPN experts have the Knicks winning the Eastern Conference, but not the title.
Instead, the experts have the Spurs, whom the Knicks defeated in the Finals, as title favorites along with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder led the way with 84 points and the Spurs with 74 points.
The Thunder also won the Western Conference with 88 points. The Spurs came in second with 74 points.
Meanwhile, New York is expected to win the Eastern Conference with 68 points. The Philadelphia 76ers come in second with 51 points.
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According to ESPN NBA insider Tim MacMahon, the Thunder and Spurs hold the edge because of talent.
“Few forecasted New York to go on a title run last season, but Jalen Brunson led the Knicks on a dominant march to the franchise's first championship in more than five decades, losing only three games in the playoffs. Nevertheless, the Knicks come in a distant third among title favorites, according to our panel, trailing the two West powers that are loaded with ascending talent.”
For the Spurs, they obviously have Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama. They have an emerging core with De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle. Meanwhile, the Thunder still have the top-notch Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They also have depth in Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, and Jalen Williams.
Combine that with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown on the 76ers, and the Knicks have their work cut out for them.