Biggest threats to a Knicks' repeat: These 7 teams are standing in their way

The Knicks can only control themselves as they seek to repeat as NBA champions. But even if they remain healthy and avoid the distractions that threaten the good vibes, the competition might be even tougher than last season. Here are seven teams that could spoil the party.

76ERS

If this were fantasy basketball — maybe minus the penalties for finishing last — it would be easier to understand the moves the 76ers made during the summer.

On paper, they have assembled a quartet of All-Stars. But question marks, they’ve got them.

The 76ers seemed bound for a breakup after the Knicks dominated them in a four-game sweep in the playoffs. Joel Embiid still was plagued by injuries and absences, and his plodding style — while otherworldly skilled — is out of pace with the speed of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. The deal for Jaylen Brown was a coup, bringing in a star talent in exchange for Paul George, who had his own issues last season. And it’s hard to argue against getting LeBron James at a bargain price.

But figuring out a way to work and win with an oft-injured center and James, who will turn 42 this season, that’s a tougher task. Still, if they’re healthy and have figured it out by the playoffs, the quartet of stars, along with added depth in Anfernee Simons, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Dean Wade, they will be a challenge.

SPURS

The Knicks disposed of them in five games in the NBA Finals, but it was hardly as one-sided as “Knicks in five” might seem. San Antonio led in every game, and if OG Anunoby hadn’t executed the greatest shot in team history, tipping in a game-winner in Game 4 to avoid sending the series to San Antonio tied at 2-2, who knows what would have happened. The prevailing wisdom was that the Knicks won last season when the Spurs still were too young and too inexperienced. Last season, Dylan Harper wasn’t fully unleashed yet, and the Spurs return nearly the entire team plus Tobias Harris, who seems to be exactly the veteran piece they were missing. And of course, they are led by Victor Wembanyama, the unanimous defensive player of the year and the favorite to be the MVP this season. He already is being placed in the pantheon of greats in NBA history.

THUNDER

Oklahoma City seemed to have figured out the formula to build a dynasty, winning a title in the 2024-25 season and piling up draft picks and using salary cap gymnastics to pluck Isaiah Hartenstein from the Knicks. But they were upset by the Spurs in the Western Conference finals last season and then were forced to shed Isaiah Joe, Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins to manage the payroll. Now they might be overlooked, but they shouldn’t be discarded. They still have the two-time reigning MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a roster full of overachievers.

CELTICS

If Mitchell Robinson, the salary-cap casualty who joined Boston as a free agent, helps to end his old team’s repeat hopes, that would be the cruelest blow to the Knicks. The thing is, the Celtics manage to make their way through the regular season seemingly by the sheer will of coach Joe Mazzulla, who has his team treasuring every game. Robinson certainly will help, and if George is healthy, he could fit well alongside a healthy Jayson Tatum.

PISTONS

It’s easy to forget that Detroit not only was the top seed in the Eastern Conference last season but dominated the Knicks in head-to-head meetings. The summer seemed like a disaster, but the Pistons eventually brought Jalen Duran back into the fold and will hope he is the player he was in the regular season. They added John Collins and Joe. Cade Cunningham has help and they play as if it’s the NBA Finals every night.

HEAT

Never doubt Pat Riley. The Heat barely made the play-in tournament last season, finishing in 10th place with 43 wins, led by a mostly forgettable cast. But they went all-in for Giannis Antetokounmpo, pairing him with Bam Adebayo and adding Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bobby Portis to the mix. They might seem bound for little progress in the regular season, but by the time the playoffs arrive, with coach Erik Spoelstra putting the pieces together, they feel like a team that can upset anyone.

TIMBERWOLVES

This could be the Raptors or Nuggets, but we’ll keep an eye on what Minnesota coach Chris Finch can make out of the remade roster with Anthony Edwards paired with LaMelo Ball. One thing’s for sure — they will be interesting to watch.

By Steve Popper

steve.popper@newsday.com@StevePopper

Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.