Why Now Matters for the Cavaliers and Knicks NBA.The late 20th-century basketball coach Tex Winter summarized the NBA’s multifaceted game in five words: “Everything depends on the little things.” Those words ring as true today, particularly for the Eastern Conference’s two leaders, the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, who will meet in an exciting game in New York on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET on ESPN). This contest will not only be thrilling for supporters but may also set the agendas for the season for both teams.
The NBA’s top clubs are always walking a tightrope; consistency propels them ahead, but one slip can push them behind. This year, the Cavaliers and Knicks have reinforced their hold in the Eastern Conference by taking advantage of their settled rosters and the weaknesses of their opponents. Let’s see how these two teams got to where they are today and what threats are facing them.
Cavaliers: There is a blend of depth and pressure.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been building up to this chance for the last five years. With the guidance of two All-NBA players, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs have built a solid roster with four All-Star-caliber players and great depth. This season, their overall payroll, including the luxury tax, has reached almost $400 million. But this huge spending has put them in the second apron’s domain—a place they now find themselves.
The Cost of the Second Apron. Teams like the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and Minnesota Timberwolves last season found themselves in this penalty zone as well, but stepped out by trading away their main players. No team can sustain the second apron for so long, especially with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The problem is further compounded for the Cavs, given that all of their major players are in their 20s, and sustaining this roster will be difficult unless they realize substantial success in the immediate future.
For example, the Boston Celtics won the title in 2023-24 despite being in the second division, but they spent over $100 million in luxury tax. For the Cavs, this is a lesson: winning is the only way to justify this investment.
Motivation from Disappointment. In two of the past three years, the Cavs have been let down as a high playoff seed. Last year, their five-game second-round defeat to the Indiana Pacers was especially agonizing. Even with a great regular season that consisted of 64 victories, they did not live up to their best.
Cavs GM Koby Altman conceded, “We do have questions about how we’re going to keep this roster. We’ve mapped out a road with our players, but all roads come to an end.” To that end, during the off-season, they acquired defensive specialists Lonzo Ball and some backup big men to plug holes the Pacers revealed.
Coaching and Strategy Changes
Coach Kenny Atkinson explained that the Cavs are not rebranding who they are, but instead solidifying who they are. “We’ll intensify our practice and development philosophy, but we’ll need to adjust our style somewhat.” Some of this is assigning more onus to Evan Mobley. After last season’s career-high 18.5 points per game, Mobley will continue to grow as a playmaker, particularly since Garland is out for toe surgery.
Moreover, De’Andre Hunter, whose mid-season addition ushered the Cavs into the second division, will also feature more. With the injury to Max Strus, Hunter may inherit the starting spot, his summer sweat paying dividends.
New York Knicks: Stability and New Energy. The Knicks not just kept their roster intact but also enriched it. They brought depth with the addition of bench scorers Jordan Clarkson and high-energy French forward Guerschon Yabusele. The only significant change, though, was the high-profile firing of coach Tom Thibodeau, who guided the Knicks to their first conference finals in 25 years.
New coach Mike Brown has brought a high-tempo offense, designed to make the Knicks less predictable and take pressure off Jalen Brunson. Brunson was the league leader in clutch scoring and dribbling last season, but was weighed down. “We have a target on our back. We have to get it,” Brown said.
Strategic Investments and Limitations
The Knicks have cleverly steered clear of the second apron for the last two seasons, freeing them with some trade leeway. But the Mikal Bridges and six first-round picks for Karl-Anthony Towns trade left them heavily invested in the current roster. This was further complicated when Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade negotiations stalled. The Knicks had no appealing offer for the Bucks, once again keeping their dream of a decade to get a superstar on ice.
Karl-Anthony Towns remarked, “Our team is cohesive and consistent. We demonstrated that last year, and we will carry on in the same vein.” This year may be the Knicks’ best opportunity to make it to the Finals in 25 years.
The Changing Landscape of the Eastern Conference
Other elite franchises in the Eastern Conference, including the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers, are dealing with injuries and the loss of franchise players like Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Myles Turner this year. Furthermore, injuries to Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, and Tyrese Haliburton have created an open golden chance for the Cavs and Knicks.
Now or Never
This season is a now-or-never situation for the Knicks and Cavaliers. Both teams are favorably placed to take advantage of their settled rosters, quality benches, and weaknesses of opposing teams. Pressure from the other side of the apron, player injuries, and NBA rule changes could be obstacles, though.
Will the Cavs be able to retain their young core intact Will the Knicks be able to make their superstar fantasies a reality? Wednesday’s game might provide the first clues to answering these questions.
