New York Knicks coaching camp is simply weeks away, however we have already got our first indications of a possible coaching camp battle. With the signing of former Sixth Males of the Yr Jordan Clarkson and Malcom Brogdon, the Knicks’ backcourt is abruptly crowded.
They’re becoming a member of a roster that already has star Jalen Brunson and starter Josh Hart in addition to Deuce McBride and Landry Shamet. Additionally they have fan-favorite Tyler Kolek, who exhibits promise as each a playmaker and shooter, however his future with the Knicks is now very a lot in query.
The Knicks most likely aren’t going to have a lot use for many of their guards with Brunson prone to play at the least 33 minutes per sport and Hart probably beginning. That might depart solely enjoying time for 2 of Clarkson, McBride, and Brogdon. That implies that both Shamet or, extra particularly, Kolek could possibly be on skinny ice heading into coaching camp.
The Knicks solved their depth downside whereas creating one other challenge
With the addition of Brogdon, the Knicks abruptly have a humiliation of riches so far as depth. It actually wasn’t that way back that depth was a difficulty for New York. Or, maybe extra precisely, former coach Tom Thibodeau did not belief his bench.
With a brand new coach, the Knicks will lean into utilizing their bench extra, and coach Mike Brown may have much more depth to work with. That can hopefully imply that the Knicks will rely much less on their starters.
Enjoying them fewer minutes would lead to much less put on and tear and supply higher longevity for his or her greatest gamers. Nonetheless, they’ve one other challenge with them being too guard-heavy, which means that they might must waive one participant, with Kolek or Shamet being the probably choices.
The Knicks have powerful roster selections forward
Except for having to resolve who makes the ultimate lower, they must resolve who begins. Hart largely began for them final season, however a wholesome Mitchell Robinson to begin subsequent season might change that.
Beginning and enjoying him round 25 minutes a sport would give New York an even bigger lineup when paired with Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Cities. It will additionally make for a extra crowded guarded lineup with Bridges enjoying the 2.
Whereas beginning Robinson might restrict them some offensively, Robinson is a stellar offensive rebounder, who would create loads of additional possessions for his or her beginning 5. He’d additionally permit Cities to play at energy ahead for round 20 minutes per sport, which is his pure place.
Nonetheless, having Cities play some on the 5 is the very best offensive choice for New York. They might have the flexibility to play a number of lineups relying on their opponent, but it surely might imply they’ve extra guards than they know what to do with.
They might at all times waive one or probably commerce Kolek to a different group, liberating up a roster spot for use at a special place. Happily, they nonetheless have coaching camp and the preseason to guage their roster earlier than making an enormous determination.
