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New York Knicks: How Lebron James Signing with the Lakers Impacts the Knicks

By Matthew Travis

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the first half against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the first half against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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It is official, for the first time since the 2002-2003 season, a player by the name of Lebron  James will not be playing in the East. So how does this impact the New York Knicks?

Since 2011, a team lead by Lebron James has taken the court in the NBA Finals representing the Eastern Conference.

However, barring unfathomable circumstances this will no longer be the case come the 2019 NBA playoffs.

In case you missed it, Lebron James signed a 4-year $154 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers meaning the Eastern Conference has become that much weaker.

More from New York Knicks

The New York Knicks haven’t made the playoffs since 2012-13, and they have not been close since then.

This year may be their best chance to make the playoffs since 2012-13. This is in large part because Lebron James decided to take his talents out to Hollywood. It essentially opens the Eastern playoff picture wide open.

But how can one player impact a team that much? According to SportsLine.com, the Cavaliers playoff odds dropped from 99.4% to 1.3% following Lebron’s decision to join the Lakers. This means there is likely another spot opened in the East, that spot could belong to the Knicks.

Now that the Knicks have added a forward in Kevin Knox, this year could be promising.

The Knicks could be looking at a starting five something like this:

A big improvement from last year when they started without Trey Burke and finished without Kristaps Porzingis.

If Porzingis can manage to stay healthy, this may be the first time in his career he plays a playoff basketball game.

If the Knicks want to make that trip back to the playoffs, they’re gonna need to make a big step up from last year when they finished 29-53 and 11th in the Eastern Conference. A step that is definitely possible now that the Knicks have an updated bench and a healthy starting five.

Next: Kanter opting in is the right move

The Knicks could have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs in 2018-19 but will they capture it? Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments below or on Twitter!

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