2019-2020 NBA Previews – Knicks Odds
Looking for 2019 New York Knicks Predictions? It’s tough to describe how disappointing this offseason was for the Knicks, their fans and anybody hoping they’d compete for a championship anytime soon. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant were the targets, Zion Williamson was supposed to be coming too, and yet R.J. Barrett, Julius Randle and Taj Gibson headline the summer haul for James Dolan’s once-hopeful Knickerbockers.
New York Knicks Season Preview
Head Coach: David Fizdale
2018-19 Record: 17-65
Knicks Odds to NBA Title: +20000
Knics Odds to Win Conference: +8000
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
Click here for ALL of our 2019 Team By Team NBA Season Previews
With their own 2020 first-round pick in possession, there’s not much incentive for this team to collect wins. The Knicks should be better than they were a year ago—the dead-last team in the Eastern Conference—but don’t expect them to enter the playoff conversation this season.
Players Who Have Left
- Emmanuel Mudiay
- Mario Hezonja
- Lance Thomas
- Noah Vonleh
- DeAndre Jordan
Players Who Have Arrived
- Wayne Ellington
- Elfrid Payton
- Taj Gibson
- Reggie Bullock
- Bobby Portis
- Julius Randle
- R.J. Berrett
- Ignas Brazdeikis
The most notable departure from this group, aside from the midseason trade of Kristaps Porzingis, is DeAndre Jordan. At this point in his career and after the role he played in New York, that’s more an indictment against the Knicks than a testament to DAJ’s 2020 expectations.
The most notable arrival is R.J. Barret, via the draft. He’s not Zion, but certain scounts—a very small percentage of them, mind you—think he could have an even better career than Williamson. That seems like a stretch and is a long ways away from being confirmed or proven silly, but either way, New York likes the kid it found—Zion’s collegiate teammate nonetheless.
New York Knicks Strengths:
This group definitely has youth on its side. There’s a lot of energy in this group between Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox, Barrett and Julius Randle, who turns 25 in November.
Check out the free sports picks from Cappers Picks experts today!
The good part of a young team is that they’re going to be more exciting to watch than their record indicates throughout the season. The downside is that there’s going to be plenty of sloppy play along the way, and this group is likely going to struggle closing out close games.
Finding the right balance of excitement and winning basketball will be important, but at this point in their process, winning basketball can take a backseat to a positive culture and a good run figuring out who can stick for the future.
David Fizdale, although he hasn’t been able to prove it yet in the Big Apple, is a very good defensive coach who just needs to command a young locker room and build that mentality from the ground up among the players.
New York Knicks Weaknesses:
There really are too many weaknesses that plague this team to hit them all in a few paragraphs. But obviously their youth is a two-sided coin for the reasons already stated.
Confusion in the point-guard rotation could be a specific problem worth highlighting, however. This team has potential in many players, but there’s little reason to believe Smith, Ntilikina, Elfrid Payton or anyone else will step up and become a true floor general and leader in just their third seasons.
Point guard isn’t quite the “quarterback” of the offense a lot of people want to claim it is through cliches like exactly that, but confusion at the position may be the worst-case scenario considering all five positions.
[dfads params=’groups=20599&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Knicks fans are hoping this exact situation brings out competition among the youngsters and reveals one as a future star. If that ends up being the case, it seems like Smith will be the one to emerge.
New York Knicks Betting Prediction:
Vegas has set the over/under on New York’s season at 26.5 after winning 17 games a year ago. It’s not out of the question considering this team should take significant steps forward this season.
But I just don’t see it happening unless the point guard of the future emerges, Kevin Knox has a shocking sophomore season, Randle takes another leap in the leadership and go-to scorer category, and Barrett makes Knicks fans start to forget Zion.
At this point, you can count on either the Charlotte Hornets or Cleveland Cavaliers to be the worst team out East, with the other taking dishonorable mention. After that, the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards and Knicks will compete for “next-tier” status in that conversation.
With every roster set, the schedule out and the season around the corner, the Knicks look like an Under for sure. But keep an eye on this young group. Youngsters can certainly fall apart, but they also have a pesky habit of surprising people from time to time as well.
2019 NBA Gambling
What do you think about our 2019 New York Knicks predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in the 2019-2020 NBA Season!
The 2019 NBA futures betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on NBA hoops, you are in the best possible place for online betting.
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this Knicks futures post we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire 2019 NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
Check out the free NBA basketball picks from Cappers Picks experts today!