New York Knicks

The Knicks managed to win 50 games for the first time in over decade behind the All-NBA play of Jalen Brunson and a midseason trade that vaulted the team back into contention. The immaculate vibes carried over into the offseason as the team acquired Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns via trade.

Health was one of the major limiting factors that prevented New York from making in even deeper run last season. Shortly after joining the Knicks, OG Anunoby missed 27 total games with an elbow injury that required in-season surgery. Center Mitchell Robinson missed 50 regular season games with a stress fracture in his ankle that resurfaced in the postseason, costing him six more games. An already thin frontcourt took another hit when Julius Randle suffered a season-ending shoulder dislocation in late January. 

In addition to their offseason trades, the Knicks front office was active on the injury front hiring Casey Smith as the Vice President of Sports Medicine. Smith spent the previous 20 seasons leading the Mavericks medical staff as Head Athletic Trainer and VP of Player Health and Performance. Smith’s Mavs staffs routinely finished in the top 10 for fewest games lost to injury each season and were the sixth rated staff in terms of total games lost to injury or illness during his entire tenure. Smith will work with incumbent athletic trainer Anthony Goenaga and a diverse staff to help New York build on last year’s success.

Unfortunately, Smith and his crew are already busy.  New York knew they would start the year a man down with Robinson still recovering from his second surgery, but Precious Achiuwa’s hamstring strain in the team’s preseason finale will further deplete their frontcourt depth.