2023-24 NBA Preview: Best Bets for the New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are riding high into the lights of the 2023-24 NBA season.

After winning a playoff series for the first time in over a decade, New York has most of its players coming back and even made a key signing over the summer. The Knicks signed Donte DiVicenzo to a multi-year deal. The guard reunites with college teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. 

Hart was the Knicks’ key trade-deadline acquisition last season. The guard played the fourth-most minutes on the team in the playoffs and was a key two-way player with a crisp three-point shot. Hart and New York agreed to a contract extension over the summer to keep him in the Big Apple.

With Brunson at guard and forward Julius Randle, the offensive duo that each averaged at least 24 points per game, the Knicks are primed to have another strong season. Ahead of the new season, here are the New York Knicks’ best bets.

The odds in this bet are relatively low, but it is very safe to think that the Knicks will get to at least 40 wins given the makeup of the roster.

It’s fair to assume Randle will continue his hot scoring on a nightly basis. Before signing with the Knicks in 2019, Randle had only averaged 20 points once in five seasons. After four seasons in New York, Randle has averaged 20 points or more in three of the four. While his playoff performances have been uneven, Randle is a focal point of this offense. Ever since he has been in New York, the Knicks have been relatively successful and in the playoff conversation.

On top of Randle, Brunson adds a key piece to this offense it has never had. Brunson averaged 24 points per game in his first year in New York, and he is a mainstay for this offense. Brunson showed he can create his own shot and be a prolific passer. This comes after the former Mavericks guard averaged just over six assists per night. 

The Knicks have had at least 40 wins in two of the last three seasons, and it is reasonable to think New York can get there again. Take this season-long prop on FanDuel.

This prop bet has the chance to be the most fun prop of the entire season. For the first time ever, the NBA will hold an in-season tournament from November to December.

It’s difficult to judge who will win the in-season tournament since it has never happened before. Plus, it’s hard to understand how serious the organizations will take the tournament.

With such a heavy emphasis on load management in the last decade in the NBA, the contending teams in the league, such as the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and Denver Nuggets, might be inclined to sit their stars. That could give teams the opportunity to win the tournament if they are on the younger side or might not be contending for the NBA championship.

Enter the Knicks, a team that is not talented enough to compete with the best in the Eastern Conference on paper but one that is fast and fun. New York, with a quick start in 2023, could be bound for the in-season tournament crown. Take this bet on BetMGM and watch the in-season tournament with an incentive. 

If one is bound to bet that the Knicks will win at least 40 games, it’s fair to assume the Knicks will make the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

That raises the questions as to whether guard R.J. Barrett will score 22 points per game. Last season, the guard put up 19.6 points on a nightly basis after scoring 20 in 2021-22. The guard is a key scorer and the third option in the Knicks’ offense.

Given Barrett’s ability to attack the rim and the anticipation for the Knicks to take the next step in the Eastern Conference, Barrett should make another leap in his offensive game. The guard was the third pick in the draft in 2019, and New York continues to unlock his potential.

With Barrett averaging just two more points per game, and buying into the Knicks making the playoffs, this prop at these odds could net a ton of money. DraftKings has you covered, so watch Barrett and the Knicks with a keen eye and take this bet.