Magic Johnson breaks down why the Knicks are NBA Finals contenders following strong trade deadline acquisitions

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The New York Knicks have been nothing short of impressive in the 2023-24 season, boasting a 33-18 record and being right in contention with acquiring the No. 1 seed in the East. While Julius Randle’s injury could have posed a concern, the franchise has made bold moves during the trade deadline to strengthen its roster. These acquisitions have sparked optimism to the extent that Magic Johnson couldn’t help but ponder Tom Thibodeau’s team’s chances of reaching the EC Finals and even the NBA Finals for the first time in 24 years.

Knicks appear stronger than ever after trade deadline moves

Magic’s enthusiastic response speaks volumes about the impact of such high-value acquisitions in the long run. Not only has the Knicks reunited with Alec Burks, but they have also acquired Bojan Bogdanovic from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for only Malachi Flynn, Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes, Ryan Arcidiacono, and two second-round picks.

While Bogdanovic averages 20.2 points per game on 41.5% shooting from the 3-point line, Burks also boasts a scoring average of 12.6 points per game on 40.1% shooting from downtown. Not only do these two players’ playing styles align perfectly with coach Thibodeau’s offensive scheme, but they have also allowed the team to go nine-deep in the postseason without sacrificing positional size. In simpler terms, the Knicks have added two exceptionally experienced scorers to operate off the bench.

More importantly, the arrival of Burks and Bogdanovic will also allow OG Anunoby and Randle more time to recover from their respective injuries.

Perkins is impressed with Knicks’ improved depth

Echoing the sentiment of the LA Lakers legend, another NBA Champion who labeled the Knicks as perennial title contenders was Kendrick Perkins. The 39-year-old analyst emphasized how the team boasts superior bench depth compared to any other team in the 2023-24 season.

“Right now, they’re deeper than the Pacific Ocean, and everybody else in the Eastern Conference needs to get life jackets,” Perkins said. “This New York Knicks team is a legit title contender this season.”

That being said, with the Knicks prioritizing retaining their future first-round picks at the deadline, their intent to remain active in the market for a superstar trade was evident, which also depicts a promising future for New York after years of frustration.