The New York Knicks are still just a few weeks removed from winning their first NBA title in more than five decades. They should continue to savor the victory. They should keep doing the media rounds and celebrating this massive win for the franchise.
However, the Knicks also need to look ahead. As great as it was to finally bring the NBA title back to New York, it would be even greater to not have to wait another 53 years to repeat as NBA champions.
So, which teams are shaping up to be the biggest competition for New York during the 2026-27 season? Two names keep popping up: the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. Major betting sites, according to ESPN, have both teams ahead of the Knicks as early favorites to be in the NBA finals. Coming in at third is the Boston Celtics, followed by the Knicks at four. So, should New York be concerned about the Thunder and Spurs, in particular?
Are The Thunder And Spurs The Knicks’ Biggest Challenge In 2027?
Assessing The Thunder As A Threat To The Knicks
The Thunder were supposed to get back to the NBA Finals. It seemed like destiny. They had a strong roster in the 2025-26 season and one that wasn’t too different from their championship-winning lineup. As the defending champions, they were expected to beat the Spurs and make it to the final series, but they didn’t.
Adding to the idea that they would go all the way was now the Thunder plowed through the first two series in the NBA playoffs. They swept both the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers. There’s a case to be made that if they had gotten to the NBA Finals instead of the Spurs, they would have given the Knicks a harder time. Perhaps it would have been a six-game series, or maybe even a seven-game series.
So, the Thunder already enters the 2026-27 season strong and with a chip on their shoulder. Helping the Thunder’s case is that they absolutely nailed the draft with their picks. They took Aday Mara at No. 12, Bennett Stirtz with No. 16, and Otega Oweh at No. 41.
They figured out quickly what went wrong against the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama put too much pressure on them, and they had outside shooting difficulties. In response, the Thunder picked the right guys to help, including the massive Mara and crafty Stirtz.
So, yes, the Knicks should get the Thunder on their radar as a team that may be hard to beat during the 2026-27 season.
The Spurs’ Challenge To The Knicks Seems Weaker Than The Thunder
The Spurs, on the other hand, could also pose a challenge, but it doesn’t seem nearly as strong as the Thunder. The Spurs, actually, should worry about the Thunder more than the Knicks.
New York had a fairly easy time taking out the Spurs in the finals, even though there’s no easy win in the NBA. However, it was over in five games. The Knicks obviously know how to beat the Spurs, and if San Antonio comes at them with the same moves next season, they’ll already know how to overcome them.
The Spurs also nailed their 2026 first-round draft picks, though. They used the draft to provide Wembanyama with the kind of tools he’ll need next season. At times, it really seemed like it was Wembanyama all on his own out there. That won’t be the case next season.
The Spurs drafted Jayden Quaintance at No. 20 and Tarris Reed Jr. at No. 26 in the first round of the draft. They were fortunate to draft twice in the first round, too.
Quaintance is a super physical player who should be a perfect complement to Wembanyama on the court. He’s coming back from knee surgery, though, so time is a factor with him.
Reed is coming off a championship appearance with the UConn Huskies. He’s 22, so he’s mature enough to step into the NBA right away without much of a learning curve, or at least that’s the expectation.
So, there are reasons New York should pay attention to both the Thunder and Spurs heading into the new season. They’re lining up to be New York’s top competition. However, the Knicks are ready, so bring it on.
Featured Image: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
