Vegas Predicts New York Knicks Will Take Big Step Back

The New York Knicks got better on paper by adding Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, but Vegas does not see the vision. 

WynnBET is giving the Knicks -140 odds to make the playoffs and +115 odds to miss the playoffs. While those odds aren’t terrible, they’re a clear sign that the oddsmakers don’t believe in the Knicks this year. New York has the seventh-best odds in the Eastern Conference to make the playoffs, which means it would be involved in the play-in tournament. 

The Knicks were the No. 4 seed last year, finished 41-31 and had the third-highest defensive rating in the NBA. New York’s philosophy was centered around isolation basketball and great defense, which Vegas doesn’t see being sustainable. 

New York’s offensive issues came due to their slow pace. The Knicks played at the slowest pace in the league, leading to the fourth-lowest points per game and the lowest amount of assists per game. 

Leon Rose saw the same issues the oddsmakers saw and signed Walker and Fournier, both good offensive players that provide creation and shooting. Walker is coming off a down year -- mainly due to injuries -- where he averaged 19.3 points and 4.9 assists per game.

Fournier also missed a lot of time due to injury last season, but averaged 17.1 points and 3.4 assists per game in Orlando and Boston. With Julius Randle and Derrick Rose being the only real creators -- for themselves and others -- Fournier and Walker will be a big boost.

It's fair to say the Knicks won’t be the same team as last season, but the Knicks also have worse odds than the Indiana Pacers, who missed the playoffs last season. If the odds hold and New York finishes as the No. 7 seed, they would end up playing either the Nets or Bucks -- based on the odds. 

Despite the odds saying they’ll make the playoffs, the Knicks have a lot to prove this season. 

Download the WynnBET app and make your pick today.