There’s Plenty of Value in the Knicks’ Surprisingly Low Win Total

• Knicks’ 2018-19 win total set at 30.5
• Will Kristaps Porzingis pick up where he left off during last year’s All-Star campaign?
• Is Kevin Knox ready to become a prime-time player?   

Win totals for the 2018-19 NBA season have been released, and few teams are getting less respect than the Knicks, who are projected to win 30.5 games. That’s just 1.5 games more than last season, despite the fact that New York added a pair of blue chip prospects in Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson and improved the fringes of its roster with smart under-the-radar deals.

New York Knicks Win Total Odds

We believe the Knicks are being undervalued and that you should jump on their win total in a New York minute. Here are five reasons why you should take the over.

1. Kristaps Porzingis Will be Back Sooner than Expected

The Knicks’ 2017-18 season came to a crashing halt on February 6th when Kristaps Porzingis tore the ACL in his left knee in a game against the Bucks. At the time, doctors predicted he could be out for as long as 20 months, but that original forecast is now looking extremely conservative.

According to The New York Post, Porzingis will be re-evaluated in September and could be back in time for New York’s Christmas Day tip-off with Milwaukee. That would be a huge boon for the Knicks, who will benefit greatly from his floor spacing and the attention he receives from opposing defenses.

Granted, Porzingis will need time to shake off the rust, but even a limited unicorn is better than no unicorn at all.

2. Trey Burke is a Bona Fide Starting Point Guard

We won’t try to convince you that Trey Burke is the second coming of Walt Frazier. He’s not. However, the 25-year-old Michigan product showed flashes of brilliance after being called up from the team’s G-League affiliate in mid-January. Burke dazzled fans with back-to-back 26-point performances against the Magic and Celtics in February, and exploded for 42 points and 12 assists against the Hornets in late March.

He’s always been a lethal scorer, but Burke is now a more complete player who understands when to look for his shot and when to set up others. Count on him having a career year with the Knicks in 2018-19.

3. Kevin Knox is the Real Deal

Few players made a bigger impression at the NBA’s Summer League than Kevin Knox, who led all rookies in scoring at 21.3 points per game. The 6’9” small forward was far better than advertised from beyond the arc and consistently overpowered smaller defenders with his speed and physicality.

Knox’s ability to impact the game on both ends of the court was especially evident in his 29-point, nine rebound performance against the Lakers. He’ll get all the playing time he can handle at small forward, where he’ll assume the role vacated by Michael Beasley.

Also keep an eye out for fellow rookie Mitchell Robinson, who averaged 13 points and 10.2 rebounds in Vegas. The second-round selection exceeded expectations with his aggressive rim runs and outstanding instincts on defense. At 7’1” with a 7’4” wing span, Robinson has the length and athleticism to guard opponents all the way from the block to the three-point line. He’s a keeper, and has a legitimate shot at cracking New York’s rotation.

4. The Knicks Were Actually Pretty Decent Last Year

It’s easy to forget now, but New York was actually one of the better teams in the East during the first two months of the 2017-18 season. The Knicks had a .500 record as late as December 30th and had pulled out impressive wins against Cleveland, Denver, Utah, and Toronto. If New York hadn’t been beset by injuries they would have been in prime position to claim one of the East’s eight playoff seeds.

That quest should be even easier this year now that LeBron has left the Cavs, and the Hawks, Magic, Bulls, and Nets are all in full-on rebuilding mode.

5. Mario Hezonja Was a Sneaky Good Pick Up

For once, the Knicks actually made a sensible decision in free agency by signing Magic forward Mario Hezonja to a one-year, $6.5 million deal. The 23-year old Croatian averaged 9.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game last season after stepping in for injured starter Terrance Ross.

Lebron to LA! Who cares! The Knicks just signed former #5 Pick Mario Hezonja!!

— Matt (@MatthewNGeist) July 2, 2018

Hezonja will likely never blossom into an All-Star, but he’s a bright young player who moves the ball, hits open threes, and fills the lanes well in transition. Expect him to start the season at power forward and move to the bench once Porzingis is ready to return.