Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks

The Knicks Are Built To Stay On Top of the East for Years (NBA Futures Draft)

August 26, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The Knicks are NBA champions, but the conversation about whether they are built to stay on top of the Eastern Conference for years is not settled. On this episode of Locked On Knicks, host Gavin Shaw and co-host XJ are joined by Jeffrey Askinson of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast to conduct an NBA Futures Draft. The premise: draft all 30 teams based on what you expect from them over the next five seasons, valuing whatever criteria you choose—championship upside, regular-season consistency, organizational stability. The draft reveals how the top contenders are perceived, where the Knicks fit, and what risks could derail them.

The Thunder and Spurs Dominate the Top Tier

The first two picks are not controversial. Jeff takes Oklahoma City first overall, arguing the Thunder have the highest floor and ceiling of any franchise. He points to their elite front office, one of the three best coaches in the league, and a roster with no obvious holes. "I can't imagine an argument that they don't have the highest floor and the highest ceiling in terms of most championships in the next five seasons," Jeff says, unless Victor Wembanyama makes a leap into the rarefied air of LeBron, Shaq, or Jokic.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Show Open & Draft Rules** - Introduction of the NBA Futures Draft concept and the guest co-hosts.
2 (02:59) **Pick 1: Oklahoma City Thunder** - Jeff selects the Thunder, arguing they have the highest combined floor and ceiling.
3 (05:46) **Pick 2: San Antonio Spurs** - XJ picks the Spurs, arguing Wembanyama is already at an all-time great impact level.
4 (10:10) **Pick 3: New York Knicks** - Jeff selects the Knicks, citing their immediate title equity and strong core.
5 (13:40) **Pick 4: Boston Celtics** - Jeff critiques the Knicks' potential ceiling and selects the Celtics for their organizational stability.
6 (17:00) **Downside Scenario for the Knicks** - The panel debates the biggest risk to the Knicks' future.
7 (20:38) **The Key to the Knicks' Success** - Jeff identifies the Knicks' core and the need to make hard roster decisions.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Do the New York Knicks have the brightest five-year future in the Eastern Conference? Hosts Gavin Schall and XJ are joined by special guest Geoff Rassmussen from Hot Hand Theory to a (compeitive) NBA Futures Draft, ranking teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, and Minnesota Timberwolves based on championship upside, roster synergy, and organizational stability.

The debate spotlights Victor Wembanyama’s generational potential and Boston’s bold Jaylen Brown–Paul George trade as pivotal moves shaping each franchise’s long-term ambitions.

Key topics include New York Knicks’ reluctance to push into the second apron, the importance of front-office decision-making, and East vs. West competitive dynamics. Insightful analysis explores what could derail the Knicks’ title pathway, how teams like the Indiana Pacers and Timberwolves rate as rising contenders, and who stands to dominate the NBA for years to come.

Can the Knicks turn their window into a dynasty, or will rivals leap ahead?

00:00 — The Knicks will run the east for the next half decade

01:29 — Start of the draft

02:02 — Pick 1: Geoff

04:40 — Pick 2: XJ

09:27 — Pick 3: Gavin

10:53 — Odoo Ad Break

12:17 — Pick 4: Geoff

15:42 — Why the Knicks have the best eastern conference future

21:16 — Fan Duel Ad Break

22:25 — Pick 5: XJ

28:18 — Pick 6: Gavin

30:11 — Pick 7: Geoff

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea; David Richard; Vincent Carchietta - Imagn Images

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