Knicks Guard Could Build Sixth Man Buzz After Potential Demotion

The New York Knicks still have some lineup-related questions that need answering, and several key players could benefit from their new spots in the rotation once this upcoming roster settles into a rhythm.

Mike Brown has been tasked with building on New York's odds of exceeding last season's expectations in his first year on the job, and with the Knicks just coming off of their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, the bar's been set very high. They drew a lot of offseason attention to their bolstered rotation, complete with several newly-signed free agents, but there remains the dilemma of who'll lock down the fifth starting job alongside the talented starting unit.

Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby have been starters for their entire individual stints with the Knicks, leaving Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson as the two players on the fringe still competing for the final musical chair. Hart opens the door for a potential 3&D option while Robinson's rebounding and defense fill numerous holes that are left otherwise open by the starters, allowing many analysts to make their respective case for one or the other.

Robinson made more sense down the stretch of the Knicks' recent playoff loss in his giving New York a double-big look that provided their team with more size and frontcourt deterrence, with Hart's once-lauded defense slipping alongside his already-streaky jump shot.

Although he's the technical incumbent as the full-time regular season starter, rumors of Hart's emergence as the odd man out have been bubbling since Brown replaced noted Hart-appreciator Tom Thibodeau. But should he hit the bench, some analysts are bullish on his ability to impact games as an overqualified energy player with rebounding and defensive appeal.

Bleacher Report's Dan Favale has already considered Hart as a wild card to look out for come next spring's award season. He lacks the raw intrigue of past Sixth Man of the Year winners, but his context on a potentially-elite team as a regularly-used and well-liked role player should do him some favors.