Stephen A. Smith offers surprising postseason prediction for Knicks

The Knicks roster has undergone some changes over the past two months. Prior to the trade deadline, the front office struck deals to acquire OG Anunonby from the Toronto Raptors and Bojan Bogdanovic, and Alec Burks from the Detroit Pistons. Tom Thibodeau now has a team that's been constructed in his image. Anunoby gives New York an elite wing defender. Bogdanovic provides elite shot-making in half-court situations. Burks can plug gaps and is a reliable bench contributor who knows New York's system.

Everything is in place for an impressive playoff run from the Knicks. However, in order for that to happen, the roster needs to get healthy. Julius Randle is currently out with a shoulder injury. Anunoby is sidelined. Mitchell Robinson may or may not miss the rest of the season. The only way the Knicks can expect to make a deep run is by having Randle and Anunoby in the starting lineup. 

Yet, if the Knicks are healthy and can avoid a tough matchup with the Boston Celtics in the opening two rounds, there's no reason why New York can't make a deep postseason run. After all, that's why the front office made moves to add high-level depth to Thibodeau's roster. And it's why the Knicks have excelled at times since Anunoby joined the franchise. 

There's no guarantee the Knicks will be fully healthy before the postseason. As such, it's going to be interesting to see how things develop for the sleeping giant and whether they can finally begin contending back at an elite level.