"Family-type vibe there": Kendrick Perkins details why Knicks will be the best team in the East next season
Kendrick Perkins made a bold prediction for the NBA season, asserting that the New York Knicks will have the best record not only in the Eastern Conference but across the entire league. Perkins believes that the positive energy in New York indicates strong team chemistry, which will contribute to their success.
On “NBA Today,” Perkins discussed his daring forecast, which is that the Knicks will achieve the best record in the NBA this season.
ESPN BET projects the Knicks to win 53.5 games this year. They finished last season with a 50-32 record, the second-best in the Eastern Conference.
“I think right now they got a different type of energy, a different type of family-type vibe there, and they're going to be excited to play night in and night out,” he said.
“Look, this is not an individual sport; it's a team sport. My bold take is that the New York Knicks are going to have the best record, not just in the Eastern Conference [but] in the entire NBA in the regular season."
Perkins also anticipates an even better performance from Jalen Brunson, who averaged 28.7 points, 6.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds last season and made his first All-Star appearance.
“They're gonna have the best record in the league. I mean, when you think about what [Brunson] did last year, best player in the Eastern Conference, he's gonna come back on a different mission,” Perkins said.
Perkins is also enthusiastic about the Knicks’ Villanova alumni playing together. Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo were all part of Villanova’s 2016 championship team. This offseason, the Knicks have been active, acquiring Bridges and securing long-term deals for OG Anunoby and Brunson.
The Knicks traded Bojan Bogdanovic, several future first-round picks, a protected 2025 Milwaukee first-round pick, a 2028 unprotected pick swap, and a 2025 second-round pick for Bridges and a second-round pick from the Nets.
Anunoby’s extension is for five years and worth $212.5 million. Brunson signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension, leaving $113 million on the table to provide financial stability for the Knicks.
Perkins also expects Julius Randle to excel in whatever role he is given this season.
“Julius Randle also. He's gonna come back with it on his mind. I think he's gonna embrace his role.
The Knicks have also added Keita Bates-Diop, Chuma Okeke and Cameron Payne.
Knicks also extend Tom Thibodeau as part of eventful offseason
Tom Thibodeau has also secured a three-year extension to continue coaching the Knicks beyond the upcoming season. The Knicks hired Thibodeau on July 30, 2020, and he won his second Coach of the Year award in his first season, leading New York to a 41-31 finish.
His second season was disappointing as the Knicks finished with a 37-45 record, but the Knicks rebounded with a 47-35 record in 2022-23. In the 2023-24 season, Thibodeau led the Knicks to their first second-round playoff appearance in 11 years, finishing with a 50-32 record, their first 50-win season in a decade.
According to Sam Amick, Thibodeau’s expiring contract pays him around $7 million annually, which is relatively low given that many head coaches now earn eight-figure salaries. His extension nets him an eight-figure-a-year salary.