None of the 30 general managers picked the Knicks to win an NBA title this year, but they were ranked as the second-best team in the Eastern Conference after what was deemed the third-best offseason in the league.
The anticipated annual GM survey was released Tuesday on the NBA’s website, and only three teams received predictive votes to win it all — led by the defending champion Celtics with 25 votes (83 percent).
The Thunder, who were the top seed in the West last season, received four votes and the Mavericks, last year’s finalists out of the West, garnered the other vote.
The Knicks did finish third for the best overall moves after adding Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges with six of the 30 votes.
The Thunder, who added Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein and guard Alex Caruso, received 11 votes to finish first in that category, and the Sixers were second (10) after signing Paul George.
The acquisitions of Towns and Bridges ranked first and fourth among “most surprising moves,” and they finished tied for second behind George as the projected “most impactful move.”
Jalen Brunson was listed as the second-best leader (behind Steph Curry) and the fourth-best point guard in the league, although no Knicks received any votes for league MVP.
OG Anunoby was listed behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo for the most versatile defender, but he received no votes for Defensive Player of the Year.
Tom Thibodeau was voted third in best defensive schemes for a coach, but he garnered no votes for best NBA coach, with Miami’s Erik Spoelstra finishing first in both of those categories.
Thibodeau was unaware of the firing of Jets coach Robert Saleh, but he expressed his support when informed of the change.
“I did not know that … but I certainly feel for him,” Thibodeau said. “I know that it’s never easy, and these are tough jobs, so I wish him well.”
