This year’s free agency period in the NBA hasn’t been as active as some others in recent years, but there has still been enough movement to elevate some contending teams, at least on paper.
At least so far, the Eastern Conference has gotten stronger, especially at or near the top, thanks to moves the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks have made.
The Sixers nabbed nine-time All-Star forward Paul George while the Knicks traded for two-way stud Mikal Bridges, positioning both teams to seriously challenge the world champion Boston Celtics for East supremacy this coming season.
But Chris Broussard said on Fox Sports 1’s “First Things First” that he still feels the Celtics are the team to beat, and he has the Knicks second ahead of Philly.
“On paper, the Sixers are great. … But they’re not going to be healthy! Give me Boston right now. And I’ll still take New York over Philly.”
— @Chris_Broussard on if the 76ers are the best team in the East: pic.twitter.com/uQmQN0St7r
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) July 1, 2024
The Sixers now have a legitimate Big 3 in George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, but they do have some real health concerns between Embiid and George, both of whom are injury-prone, something Broussard pointed out.
Embiid only played in 39 games this past season because of a knee injury, and he has a documented history of knee problems.
The Sixers may have George and Embiid, but both men have a history of underperforming in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, for the Knicks, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart raise their game under the bright lights of the postseason, and Bridges has been to the NBA Finals before.
Embiid has never been past the second round, and the Sixers as a franchise haven’t been to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001.
The race for the Eastern Conference will certainly be interesting at the very least next spring.
