The New York Knicks are getting an early boost in the NBA’s offseason rankings, and they’ve managed to stay just ahead of a major new threat in the Eastern Conference.
That threat comes from the Philadelphia 76ers, who signed veteran LeBron James to their roster. The move immediately reshaped the landscape for the Knicks, especially with James now set to bring his drive and star power to a key rival. Even so, the Knicks still came out on top in one early look at the conference hierarchy.
John Schuhmann of the NBA’s official website released his offseason power rankings for 2026 and put the Knicks at No. 1 in the East, with the 76ers right behind them at No. 2. That’s notable for New York, even after the loss of Mitchell Robinson.
Schuhmann also pointed to just how strong the Knicks were in the postseason, while questioning whether that level can really last.
"The Knicks were the only team that scored more efficiently in the 2026 playoffs than in the regular season," he states in the piece. "The defense was also improved and, statistically, they were the best playoff team in NBA history, outscoring their opponents by 14.9 points per game over their 19 postseason games."
"They can't play that well over a full season, but they could surely carry over some level of chemistry and execution to improve upon their third-place finish in the East," he adds.
For now, the Knicks have the edge in the rankings. And with James now in Philadelphia, the race in the East already has a different look.
In Other News...
76ers Just Flipped Another Offseason Assumption With Surprise Roster Call
Philadelphias offseason roster math has taken another turn, and this one points toward Jabari Walker sticking around longer than many around the league expected. The 76ers had a straightforward way to create room, but instead of treating Walkers non-fully guaranteed deal like the obvious odd man out, the front office appears to view him as a useful piece in the frontcourt mix.
Walkers contract still gives the team flexibility, with the guarantee date not arriving until January 10, but the decision-making here says plenty about how Philadelphia wants to shape the back end of the roster. After moving Johni Broome to clear space for additions such as LeBron James and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Sixers seem more interested in keeping Walker in the fold as a depth option than reopening that spot again. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Facing An Awkward Roster Move They May Have To Overpay For
The Sixers are running into the kind of roster squeeze that tends to turn a simple summer plan into a messy transaction. Philadelphia reportedly wants to keep Jabari Walker for the 2026-2027 season, and the anticipated addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope after his buyout from the Memphis Grizzlies means the front office has to make room somewhere on the roster.
Johni Broome has become the obvious name to move, but finding a taker may not be straightforward. Teams interested in absorbing his salary could ask for extra assets in return, which would force Philadelphia to decide how much it is willing to pay just to create the flexibility it needs. [Read more 🡒]
Bam Adebayo Reveals His Message After LeBron Passed On The Heat
Bam Adebayo had a measured reaction after LeBron James chose a different path this offseason, stressing support for James while keeping the focus on what comes next for Miami and the Eastern Conference. Adebayo also made clear he is looking forward to the season ahead, including the possibility of sharing a locker room with Giannis Antetokounmpo, a scenario he has already talked through with him before.
For the Heat, the bigger takeaway is less about disappointment and more about how quickly the landscape can shift around them. Adebayo said he is not discouraged by the decision and sees a fresh turnaround coming in the East, which leaves Miami in the familiar spot of having to answer the leagues biggest moves with its own. [Read more 🡒]