Byron Scott expects the Knicks and Nets to be among the Eastern Conference’s most improved teams this season.
The Cavaliers coach said that he believes both teams have made moves this offseason to send their stocks rising heading into 2012-13
“The Knicks, I think they know they got a gem in Jason [Kidd],” Scott told The Post. “I think when it’s all said and done, you are talking about a Hall of Famer. [Kidd is] a guy that can help them get to the next level.”
Scott knows the impact Kidd can have on a team. Despite his feud with the veteran point guard which eventually led to his firing, Scott’s Nets made back-to-back NBA Finals with Kidd as the team’s focal point in 2002 and 2003, losing to the Lakers and Spurs.
Kidd’s role with the Knicks will be different than the one he has had for the majority of his career. The 18-year veteran will serve as the primary backup to Raymond Felton, who the Knicks also signed this offseason to replace Jeremy Lin.
“Any time you can add [a future Hall of Famer] to your roster, obviously it’s going to help you,” Scott said. “His experience and knowledge of the game is definitely going to help whoever the starting point guard is. They are going to be a tough team to play next year.”
Scott also expects the Nets to be a big player in the East even though they missed out on Dwight Howard.
“[The Nets should be] much more improved than they were last year,” Scott said at a charity event in Midtown for the Max Cure Foundation. “They missed Brook last year, Kris had a fantastic season, so they have the pieces, there’s no doubt about that. Adding Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace who was there [part of] last year, makes them a very formidable opponent in the Eastern Conference.”
The Nets’ pieces from last year also provide a solid foundation with the team moving across the Hudson River and into Brooklyn.
“I think [Head Coach] Avery [Johnson] has done a good job with them, he’s one of those coaches I have a lot of respect for,” Scott said. “Deron Williams might be one of the top two or three point guards in this league. I think the Nets and the people from Brooklyn are going to be pretty happy with their team.”
As for his own team, the Cavaliers, Scott expects improvement, but not a jump to the level the Knicks and Nets are looking at this season.
“I think those are kind of lofty expectations as of right now because we are so young,” Scott said. “We are probably going to have starting five [all in their early 20s] so it’s probably going to be one of the youngest starting teams in the NBA.
“My expectations are very simple in terms of us getting better, If we continue to do that we know we’re heading in the right direction.”
asulla-heffinger@nypost.com