2024-25 New York Knicks Predictions, Odds and Betting Preview: Rise of the Empire

The New York Knicks enter the 2024-2025 NBA season as one of the favorites to win the NBA Finals, and we're conducting an in-depth analysis of the Knicks' futures odds to determine if there are any NBA picks worth betting on.

What an offseason for the Knicks! After advancing to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals last season, the Knicks completed their collection of 'Nova Knicks Infinity Stones' by trading for Mikal Bridges. Then, right before training camp, they surprised everyone by trading Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns.

With the Knicks now boasting the best roster we've seen from them in quite some time, let's take a look at the New York Knicks odds for the upcoming season.

2024-25 New York Knicks odds and outlook

All odds courtesy of FanDuel, as of 10-15.

New York Knicks projected lineup

Knicks regular season win total prediction

The New York Knicks absolutely stunned the rest of the NBA when they traded for Towns right before training camps opened, and this trade caused one final shift to the Knicks' win total for the season. Following the trade for Mikal Bridges, and what seemed like a completed offseason, the Knicks were trading with a win total of 52.5, with some sportsbooks offering 53.5 at plus money. Now, after the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns, that total has been pushed up to a juiced 53.5 or even 54.5. With their win total sitting at 53.5 (-118) for the Over, that's the side I would lean toward, but it's a very small edge numbers-wise, with the projection coming in just over 55 wins.

The Knicks find themselves in a unique division, facing four games against two tanking teams—the Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets—while also having to play four games against two powerhouse teams in the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks will likely need some time to work out the kinks of their new roster early in the season, but that transition should be smoother than expected, given that Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson both played with Bridges at Villanova, and Tom Thibodeau previously coached Towns with the Timberwolves. While there are a lot of moving parts on this roster, there's also a great deal of familiarity.

Prediction: Over 53.5 (-118 at FanDuel)

Knicks playoff prediction

The New York Knicks will be in the playoffs—they're one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Not only will they make the playoffs, but I believe they have a legitimate shot at being the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and could win the Atlantic Division. The Philadelphia 76ers will likely focus on resting Joel Embiid to ensure he's healthy for the playoffs, while the Boston Celtics will be without Kristaps Porzingis to start the season. Joe Mazzulla has also mentioned in the past that securing the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs isn't a priority for him. You have to wonder how much the Celtics will push the minutes of their starters, especially after a trip to the NBA Finals and with three of their starters playing in the Olympics. The Celtics' goal is to win an NBA Finals, not to be the No. 1 seed.

Tom Thibodeau, on the other hand, likely won't hesitate to push his starters' minutes if the Knicks have a chance to claim the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and secure home-court advantage at Madison Square Garden throughout the playoffs. If you're considering placing a wager on the Knicks making the playoffs, I would skip the heavily juiced odds and instead look at the +360 for them to be the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Prediction: Eastern Conference No. 1 Seed (+360 at DraftKings)

Jalen Brunson prediction

The Knicks have built a roster that perfectly complements Jalen Brunson's strengths. Offensively, he'll be surrounded by three-point shooting from every position on the floor, giving him plenty of space to operate. Defensively, the Knicks have multiple wing defenders in OG Anunoby, Hart, and Bridges, which will allow them to hide Brunson on defense and conserve his energy for offense.

That said, while I believe Brunson will be more efficient and the season will be less taxing on his health since he won't have to carry the offense entirely, I don’t think this translates to him averaging more points per game. His usage is likely to decrease with the addition of Bridges and Towns, who can help alleviate some of the offensive pressure.

Additionally, the Knicks lost Brunson's pick-and-roll partner, Isaiah Hartenstein, who signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hartenstein was elite at setting screens and freeing up Brunson on offense, and his absence could impact Brunson's immediate production as he and Towns work through the kinks of becoming a pick-and-roll duo.

FanDuel has Brunson at +1200 to win the NBA MVP, but I think this is one of the worst prices in the market. Brunson likely won't have the stats to win the award, and you'd be relying on the narrative of the Knicks being the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, which might not even be enough to secure him the MVP. 

While I think Towns and Bridges will make Brunson more efficient, I don’t believe it will lead to an increase in his points per game. For that reason, I’m going Under on his total of 26.7 points per game.

Prediction: Under 26.7 PPG (-115 at DraftKings)

Knicks awards futures prediction

If you're looking to back a Knicks player in the awards market, I believe Anunoby for NBA Defensive Player of the Year is your best bet. You already know my thoughts on Brunson for NBA MVP, and while Thibodeau is the favorite for NBA Coach of the Year, he just won the award in the 2020-2021 season for the second time in his career. I’m not sure he can exceed expectations with this team because they’re already so high.

Anunoby will be the best defender on a top defensive unit for one of the best teams in the NBA, which creates a strong narrative for the award. His biggest obstacle is Victor Wembanyama, who is trading at minus money, but unlike Rookie of the Year, Wembanyama has to meet the 65-game threshold to be eligible for this award. Given that it’s early in his career, it’s possible he won’t meet that threshold—not necessarily due to injury, but because the San Antonio Spurs may be cautious with his minutes. Wembanyama also had a long summer, playing for France in the Olympics.

At +4000, I think Anunoby is worth considering for NBA Defensive Player of the Year. This award often reflects team success as much as individual performance, and the Knicks are one of the best teams in the NBA.

Prediction: OG Anunoby for Defensive Player of the Year (+4,000 at BetRivers)

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