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5 Teams Who Could Make The NBA Playoffs Next Season

By Carter Johnson

Mar 14, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8), center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8), center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) high fives forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) high fives forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Knicks

In Year 3 of Phil Jackson’s tenure as the New York Knicks‘ president of basketball operations and de facto general manager, the Zen Master’s plan to restore his former team to relevance and contention seems to finally be taking shape.

After improving to 32 wins following an abysmal 2014-15 season where they went a league-worst 17-65, the Knicks completely revamped the roster, replacing Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon, Derrick Williams and Langston Galloway with former stars in Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Brandon Jennings along with quintessential 3-and-D player Courtney Lee.

Rose and Jennings are definitely upgrades at the point guard spot and Noah is an improvement at center, though injuries and consistency will undoubtedly be concerns for all three of them.

Related Story: New York Knicks: 2016 Offseason Grades

In new head coach Jeff Hornacek, the Knicks finally got a head coach who will implement enough elements of the triangle offense for Jackson’s liking while still helping the team play up to the pace of the modern NBA.

With Rose and Jennings adding offensive firepower to the already-dangerous Carmelo Anthony-Kristaps Porzingis tandem, the team should improve upon an offense that put up the fourth worst scoring average in the league last season with 98.4 points per game. Lee’s outside shooting should help booster their 34.6 three-point percentage from a year ago as well.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers holding a tight grip on the top of the Eastern Conference, the rest of the playoff spots out there are pretty much in flux and while this Knicks team may not be at “superteam” levels as Rose would suggest, they could very well earn one of those spots if they manage to avoid injury to their key players.

Next: From Pups To Wolves