Knicks, Jalen Brunson receive eye-popping projection before 2026 season

The New York Knicks are walking into the 2026 season with a new look. They're the reigning NBA champions. That's special. They have a lot to feel good about going into October.

But, they did lose Mitchell Robinson. That hurts and it puts them in a different position than they were at this time last season.

Still, the Knicks have the core of their stars intact. They have Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns. They still have one of the best starting lineups in the league.

So, will they deliver again in the 2026-27 season? One analyst has a bold prediction for the team.

New York Knicks still expected to thrive without Mitchell Robinson

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report believes the Knicks will be just as strong as they were last season in 2026. In fact, he predicted they'll have a 53-29 regular-season record, which is exactly what they had last season.

In a feature out on Friday, he gives them an over-under of 52.5 and sees them clearing 50 wins. While he says "losing Mitchell Robinson is a big deal" since "he's one of the best offensive rebounders in NBA history, and that skill came through in a pivotal moment in the Finals," it's not everything.

Between the Knicks' stars, this team "will still have one of the best starting fives in basketball," he says, adding that "there's decent backcourt depth behind them, too," with Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Miles McBride.

So, the reigning champs have reason to hope that they can repeat that victory in 2026-27.

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