While the New York Knicks continue to bask in the glow of their first NBA title since 1973, some have started looking ahead to next season. In what many regard as a generational playoff run, fans’ attention appears focused on the festivities. However, the raising of a championship trophy means the best season has just begun.
While New York should remain in the conversation to advance to the finals again, others do not see them as a lock to do so. One of their loudest supporters and critics, Stephen A. Smith, chimed in with his take on the world champions’ chances to repeat.
Stephen A. Smith Sees the OKC Thunder As Title Favorites and Not the Knicks
In losing just three playoff games during their championship run, the Knicks ended the season with a title. Normally, the winning team would remain at the top of preseason prognostications regarding the next season. However, Smith believes the contrary, as he articulated this morning.
“[The] New York Knicks shouldn’t be the favorites next season, even if they are the champions.” 👀
– Stephen A. Smith
(Via @FirstTake ) pic.twitter.com/iL17XI2VIO
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 18, 2026
“[The] New York Knicks shouldn’t be the favorites next season, even if they are the champions. The New York Knicks deserve to be the favorites coming out of the East, ” asserted the commentator. Drawing the distinctive line means that Smith believes the Western Conference will produce the NBA champion.
“We can’t put anything against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Oklahoma City Thunder was in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.” Smith added. The Thunder owned a 3-2 lead over San Antonio, failing to win a Game 7 at home. Smith believes that key injuries hampered the Thunder’s quest to repeat.
“The Oklahoma City Thunder were without Jalen Williams, J-Dub, Jalen Williams, and Ajay Mitchell, your second and third scorers,” interjected Smith. Williams last played on May 28, scoring 1 point in an Oklahoma City Thunder loss in Game 6. Injuries kept him to just 33 regular-season games. Similarly, Mitchell, a part-time starter, last played on May 22, scoring just two points in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Meanwhile, other than bumps and bruises suffered through the series, the Knicks stayed relatively healthy, except for backup center Mitchell Robinson. Robinson broke his hand, underwent surgery, and kept playing. Robinson will enter free agency this summer, so his return status remains unclear.
The Knicks and the rest of the NBA could look very different, talent-wise, in the fall. With the draft and free agency, teams that did not seem to be in the playoff picture can suddenly emerge and pose problems on the court.
No team has repeated as NBA champions since the Golden State Warriors accomplished the feat in 2017 and 2018. Can the Knicks fight through the contentious East to have the opportunity?
