Knicks insider expects big starting five change next season

“Ultimately, I think Brown and his staff end up inserting Robinson into the starting lineup permanently in order to best maximize the defense. My guess as of mid-August is that Robinson will be the first player to come out of the game for [Guerschon] Yabusele so that New York can lean into a more five-out system, with Towns shifting to center,” Edwards wrote.

The starting five that was used through the majority of last season had premier offensive talent, but a lack of communication on defense made that group struggle. Furthermore, Tom Thibodeau’s schemes did not transform their offense into world beaters by the second half of the season and the playoffs.

Robinson in the starting lineup will make a huge difference

Adding Robinson to the lineup will make them a better group defensively, and he and Towns have the potential to dominate the boards and help them secure more possessions. While Robinson can’t space the floor, his paint presence is too impactful to keep off the floor.

With Mike Brown as the new head coach, he could experiment with many different lineups to see which ones work best. The additions of Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele give him the flexibility to try out other lineups, as they are versatile enough to play in a variety of roles.

Nevertheless, New York can make a lot of noise next season, and moving Robinson to the starting five could make a massive difference for them.