The New York Knicks are aiming to do something no team has accomplished in nearly a decade: win back-to-back NBA championships. They did lose Mitchell Robinson in free agency, leaving a notable hole in the frontcourt, but they moved quickly to fill it by bringing in Andre Drummond.

Meanwhile, New York retained two key members of its title-winning roster by re-signing Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson, ensuring vital continuity. With the reigning champions poised for another run, the challengers are ready to compete.

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs have the strongest case to be the New York Knicks’ biggest threat in the race for another championship. San Antonio went 62-20, finished second in the Western Conference, and reached the NBA Finals before falling to New York in five games.

The Spurs were one of the league’s most balanced teams, averaging 119.8 points per game while giving up just 111.5. Their playoff run showed that balance was no fluke. They knocked out Minnesota before surviving Oklahoma City in a seven-game Western Conference Finals showdown.

Victor Wembanyama’s Defensive Player of the Year award and Western Conference Finals MVP honor only reinforced how dangerous this team became on both ends. However, San Antonio’s biggest advantage may be the talent surrounding him.

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The addition of veteran Tobias Harris was pivotal; he averaged 13.3 points while shooting 36.8% from three-point range last season, providing the Spurs with a reliable forward capable of scoring without dominating possessions. His ability to space the floor creates ample room for De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper to attack. Castle has already established himself as a legitimate creator, averaging 16.7 points and 7.4 assists over 67 starts, while Harper remains the biggest wildcard on the roster.

The No. 2 pick averaged 11.8 points and 3.9 assists as a rookie despite playing only 22.6 minutes per game. His chemistry with Wembanyama was particularly encouraging. If Harper takes a leap, the Spurs could become even harder to contain. With Harrison Barnes and Devin Vassell rounding out the rotation, San Antonio has enough firepower and depth to threaten New York again.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a strong case to be the biggest threat to the New York Knicks’ championship hopes. San Antonio may be the reigning Western Conference champion, but OKC still has the talent and depth to reclaim the conference and make another run at the title.

The Thunder were dominant during the regular season, finishing 64-18 with the NBA’s best +11.1 net rating. They ranked first in defense and fifth in scoring, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put together an MVP campaign. Their season ended in disappointment, however, with San Antonio beating them 4-3 in the Western Conference Finals.

Oklahoma City did lose some important pieces this summer. Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Branden Carlson are gone. Still, the Thunder added Josh Dix, Aday Mara, Otega Oweh and Bennett Stirtz while getting a major boost from players who missed time last season.

Jalen Williams could be the difference-maker. He was unavailable during the seven-game series against San Antonio, and his return gives OKC another elite scorer and playmaker alongside Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.

If the Thunder stay healthy, they remain loaded at nearly every position. They can create shots, spread the floor, defend the perimeter and protect the rim. Their bench is also among the league’s deepest.

This presents a nightmare matchup for the Knicks. While the loss of depth is a blow, the Thunder retain the star power needed to mount another championship push.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers have gone from a disappointing playoff team to one of the NBA’s most intriguing title contenders in a matter of months. Last season, Philadelphia finished 45-37 and seventh in the Eastern Conference.

After surviving Boston in a seven-game first-round series, the Sixers were swept by the New York Knicks in the conference semifinals. Their offense and defense were both middle of the pack, and their near-neutral net rating reflected a team that never quite looked like a championship threat.

That could change dramatically in 2026-27.

Philadelphia completely reshaped its roster, adding Jaylen Brown, Anfernee Simons, Dean Wade and, most notably, LeBron James. Brown is coming off a career-best 28.7 points per game, while LeBron remains one of the league’s smartest playmakers entering his 24th season.

With Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Brown and LeBron projected to start, the Sixers suddenly have star power few teams can match.

Talent alone won’t guarantee success. Embiid, Maxey, and Brown all require the ball, making chemistry the team’s biggest challenge. LeBron could resolve this by creating easier scoring opportunities for his teammates. More importantly, Philadelphia now possesses an additional weapon to counter the Knicks’ defensive schemes.

New York exposed the Sixers last postseason by forcing their bigs into uncomfortable situations. With LeBron capable of attacking switches and controlling the tempo, Philadelphia may finally have the answer.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland already knows what it takes to compete with New York, but last season showed just how difficult it is to get over the hump. The Cavaliers went 52-30, finished fourth in the Eastern Conference, and survived seven-game battles against Toronto and Detroit before meeting the Knicks in the conference finals.

New York swept Cleveland 4-0, exposing major problems on offense. The Cavs managed just 100.3 points per 100 possessions, the lowest offensive rating of any team in a 2026 playoff series.

Cleveland responded by reshaping its roster. James Harden, who averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in 26 regular-season games with the Cavaliers after arriving at the trade deadline, signed a three-year, $97 million deal. Donovan Mitchell also committed to Cleveland on a four-year extension, giving the team long-term stability around its All-Star guard.

The biggest question is whether Harden and Mitchell can become a truly effective backcourt pairing. Cleveland was actually slightly more efficient when only one of them was on the floor after Harden joined the team, making their chemistry an important factor heading into the season.

The Cavaliers also added Peyton Watson on a four-year, $88 million contract while moving on from Max Strus. Watson gives Cleveland another versatile two-way wing who can defend multiple positions and complement the frontcourt pairing of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Jaylon Tyson adds even more potential on the wing.

If everything clicks, Cleveland has the talent and depth to make another deep playoff run. More importantly, the Cavaliers now have another chance to solve the team that ended their season last year.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have the size, athleticism and star power to make life difficult for the New York Knicks in a potential championship matchup. After finishing 49-33 and earning the No. 6 seed in the West last season, Minnesota showed once again that its defense can hold up when the stakes rise.

The Wolves knocked out Denver 4-2 before falling to San Antonio by the same margin in the conference semifinals. They also ranked eighth in defensive rating, making their physical style one of the biggest reasons they remain dangerous.

Anthony Edwards continues to look like the centerpiece of a championship-caliber team. His late-game production has been especially impressive, with his 56.5 % effective field-goal percentage in clutch fourth-quarter and overtime situations, the best mark among qualifying 19 players who had at least 85 clutch-time points this season.

Then came a major offseason shake-up. Minnesota added LaMelo Ball, Josh Green and Trey Lyles while losing Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Mike Conley. Ball could completely change the offense. He gives Edwards another elite creator and a dynamic shooter who can stretch defenses. In return, Edwards should see cleaner driving lanes and a more open look.

The biggest question is how the new pieces fit. Can Jaden McDaniels remain as effective defensively at power forward? Will the bench produce enough after losing key contributors?

The ultimate X-factor may be Rudy Gobert. With Randle and Reid gone, Minnesota will rely even more heavily on the 34-year-old center’s rim protection and rebounding. His durability entering Year 14 could determine just how far this revamped Timberwolves team goes.