NBA decisionmakers expect the Knicks to reach the playoffs for the third time in four years.
In an annual survey of general managers, the Knicks were picked to finish fifth in the Eastern Conference — right where they ended up a season ago.
They also received 17 percent of the votes for third and 33 percent to be fourth.
The Celtics were picked first and the Bucks second, followed by the Cavaliers and 76ers.
A few other Knicks highlights included coach Tom Thibodeau finishing tied for second-most votes (13 percent) with Taylor Jenkins of the Grizzlies as the coach with the best defensive schemes.
The Heat’s Erik Spoelstra was first.
Only one current Knicks player, Jalen Brunson, received votes in an individual category.
He was given votes for which player will make the best head coach one day and which player is the best leader.
Assistant coach Darren Erman received votes for the best assistant coach in the league.
The Knicks were tied for fifth when it came to best home-court advantage.
The Nuggets were first.
Additionally, Rokas Jokubaitis landed votes for the best international player not in the NBA.
The Knicks own the rights to the 22-year-old guard, who has been hesitant to leave Europe without a guaranteed spot in the rotation.
He plays for FC Barcelona.
Thibodeau didn’t play his stars, Brunson and Julius Randle, major minutes in the preseason opener on Monday.
Brunson was on the floor for just six minutes while Randle logged 13 minutes.
“It was just get your feet wet, get started,” Thibodeau said, specifically of Brunson. “Same thing with Julius. I thought he looked good after being out and just the way he moved and everything was terrific.”
Randle said his left ankle, coming off arthroscopic surgery in the offseason, felt fine. Conditioning didn’t seem to be an issue, either.
After playing in the FIBA World Cup. Brunson is being brought along slowly, at least for now.
“But you know Thibs,” Randle said jokingly. “We’ll be playing 35 minutes here pretty soon.”
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