How the Knicks and 76ers are looking to keep pace with the Celtics

The Boston Celtics went 64-18 last season and won their 18th NBA Championship. They have a roster of players that only looks to get better in 2024-2025.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are superstars who can take a game over at any moment. Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. When Tatum does have an off-night (which isn’t often) you have to deal with Brown who averaged 23 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per contest. Those two are not the only members of the Celtics team you need to worry about. Kristaps Porzingis also averages over 20 points per game (20.1), and point guard Jrue Holiday was the conductor running the show. 

The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are two of the team’s competing with the Celtics, not just in the Eastern Conference, but as members of the Atlantic Division. 

The New York Knicks finished 2023-2024 with a 50-32 record and the second best record in the Eastern Conference. They wasted no time this off-season improving their team. They traded five-first round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for wing Mikal Bridges and they signed OG Anunoby to a five-year contract worth $212.5MM. New York’s starting five now looks like this: 

C- Mitchell Robinson

SF- OG Anunoby

PF-Julius Randle

SG- Mikal Bridges

PG- Jalen Brunson

New York’s starting lineup offers a great mix of offense and defense, and they have depth to go with it. The big question is going to be if they will be able to re-sign big man Isaiah Hartenstein. Hartenstein solidifies the center position, and moves Robinson to a bench role. On the bench, they have Dante DeVincenzo, Josh Hart, and Jerricho Sims. They had a strong draft this past week, as well, bringing in Kevin McCullar Jr. and Tyler Kolek. The Knicks have some talent in their starting five, but is it enough to match up with the Celtics?

The 76ers go into the free agency period with between $55 and $65 million dollars to spend. They went 47-35 last season but only got 39 games out of their superstar center Joel Embiid.

Shooting guard Tyrese Maxey is expected to sign a five-year extension for $205MM. Maxey and Embiid are an excellent one-two punch when Embiid can stay healthy. Philadelphia’s starting lineup is rounded out by Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre and Tobias Harris. Philadelphia has some solid depth on the bench with Buddy Hield, Nicolas Batum, Cameron Payne, and recent draft pick Jared McCain. However, the 76ers are expected to let Harris walk, and are contenders to go after Paul George and/or DeMar DeRozan. They have also been rumored in trade deals for Lauri Markkanen and Jimmy Butler. One thing is certain this off-season - the 76ers will do whatever they can to add a third superstar to Embiid and Maxey. If they can add a Jimmy Butler and Embiid stays healthy, who knows what could happen? 

Boston will enter the 2024-2025 season as a favorite to win back-to-back championships. But if New York and Philadelphia keep adding to their star studded rosters, the Atlantic Division is going to be in store for a huge battle.