Improved Knicks staring down even tougher Eastern Conference gauntlet after NBA free agency

The Knicks have improved themselves this offseason. There’s no debating that.

They added an elite 3-and-D wing in Mikal Bridges while keeping their other standout wing, OG Anunoby , to pair with star guard Jalen Brunson.

The problem has nothing to do with the projected roster, though there is now a hole behind Mitchell Robinson at center in the wake of Isaiah Hartenstein departing for the Thunder , and dwindling options left on the free-agent market.

The issue is the rest of the Eastern Conference. It has gotten better at the top.

The 76ers added nine-time All-Star Paul George — giving themselves a big three of George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey that might be the best trio in the entire NBA.

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They also signed veterans Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon, and brought back defensive-minded wing Kelly Oubre Jr. — three moves that will improve their depth.

The champion Celtics return the entire core of a team which, including a dominant postseason run, went 80-21. The on-the-rise Magic added quality 3-and-D wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, previously of the Nets, and retained role players Gary Harris, Goga Bitadze and Mo Wagner.

The Bucks still have superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, and are coming off a year when they won 49 games despite what most experts would call a disappointing year. The Pacers are young and only getting better — they brought back star forward Pascal Siakam and backup Obi Toppin — after beating the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, even if Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau’s team was severely undermanned by that point.

We haven’t even gotten to the Heat or the Cavaliers, two playoff teams that aren’t losing anyone of significance and boast two of the best guards in the league in Jimmy Butler and Donovan Mitchell, respectively.

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The Raptors feel like a team that could take a leap after a dismal 25-win campaign, led by the young trio of Scottie Barnes and former Knicks RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.

It should be noted that the Knicks won 50 games last year despite a rash of injuries. Despite Julius Randle appearing in just 46 regular-season games.

Despite Robinson missing even more than that. Despite Anunoby missing 27 games after coming over in the Dec. 30 trade with the Raptors. They still were fifth in NET rating at plus-4.9 — meaning they outscored the opposition by 4.9 points per 100 possessions — seventh in offensive rating (117.3) and ninth in defensive rating (112.4).

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They were one of just three teams to finish in the top 10 in the latter two categories, and now they are adding Bridges, a difference-maker who can defend and score at a high level.

The optimism among Knicks fans is warranted — but a lot of other fan bases can feel the same way.

Obviously, a lot can change between now and the start of the regular season. More moves will be made, potentially impactful trades could be executed.

But right now, the top half of the Eastern Conference looks like a bear.

It includes the dominant defending champion in the Celtics, arguably the most talented big three in the 76ers, young teams with upside in the Magic, Cavaliers and Pacers, and the superstar-laden Bucks.

The Knicks got better, but their competition didn’t get worse. If anything, the teams they will be jockeying with improved.

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