Knicks’ 9,10,11 Riddle Could Define Their Season

New head coach Mike Brown steps into his first season with options. The Knicks rotation already includes nine strong veterans, but three second-year players—Tyler Kolek, Pacôme Dadiet and Ariel Hukporti—stand on the edge of opportunity.

The dilemma is clear. Will Brown stretch his nightly rotation to 10 or 11 players? Or will he lean on veterans to maximize regular-season wins? The answer could define both development and playoff readiness.

Veterans Versus Youth

The Knicks remain in win-now mode after last year’s trip to the Eastern Conference finals. This summer they added Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, bolstering an already deep roster. Malik Beasley also remains linked to the team in free agency.

That depth complicates the 9,10,11 puzzle. Brown could easily stick with a veteran-heavy Knicks rotation and leave the youngsters waiting. But playing time signals priorities. If Brown expands the rotation, it will show the front office valued development when they hired him.

Paths to Playing Time

Of the three second-year players, Hukporti may have the clearest path. Mitchell Robinson has battled injuries for years. Even with his health improving, game management is likely. Hukporti could become a situational backup center, easing Robinson’s load.

Dadiet, only 20, carries the most upside. Yet he faces a logjam at wing with OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and Clarkson ahead of him. His inconsistent shooting remains the hurdle. He must prove he can stretch the floor. The talent is there—he once shot nearly 40 percent from deep in Europe—but Summer League struggles showed how far he still has to go.

Kolek’s situation is different. He’s the only true point guard on the roster behind Jalen Brunson. Miles McBride or Clarkson will likely handle backup duties, but Brown might envision them more as a combo guard. If so, Kolek could slide into a small but meaningful role as a table-setter.

Training Camp Answers

No matter the outcome, the young trio should see more minutes this season—if only in garbage time. Brown’s approach differs from Tom Thibodeau, who often rode starters deep into blowouts. Expect more flexibility, more experiments, and more chances for the next wave of Knicks to prove themselves.

The Knicks’ rotation riddle won’t stay unsolved for long. By training camp, we should know if Brown is willing to gamble on youth or stick with veteran certainty. Either way, how he handles the Knicks rotation could shape the season.