The Knicks’ Bench Depth Could Determine Their Playoff Ceiling

New head coach Mike Brown expanded his rotation to start this season, but the lineup experiments have not been promising. The Knicks are contenders this year, but bench depth could determine their playoff ceiling.

Last season, the Knicks ranked last in both bench minutes played and points scored. Head coach Tom Thibodeau showed limited confidence in bench players outside of Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa. During the Eastern Conference Finals against Indiana, the Knicks’ lack of bench depth was evident compared to the Pacers’ nine-man rotation.

Brown toyed with going 10 and even 11 men deep into the rotation through the first five games, but the constant shuffling of players led to a lack of cohesion on both ends of the court.

The Knicks’ Bench Depth Could Determine Their Playoff Ceiling

No Bench Depth, No Championship

If the Knicks expect to compete for a championship this season, they’ll need a more capable bench unit. That becomes a more difficult proposition with a bench ranked 18th in +/-. Of the four teams that’ve made the conference finals in the past five years, the 2022-23 Miami Heat were the only team ranked outside the top 10 in bench +/-. They finished the season tied for 11th.

The previous two champions, Oklahoma City and Boston, finished first in bench +/- in their championship seasons. The Knicks expect three players from last year’s team to play a substantial role this season. With limited wing depth outside of Bridges and OG Anunoby, the team must count on Josh Hart and Landry Shamet.

McBride is key for a team with no lead ball-handlers outside of Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges. Jordan Clarkson is the team’s microwave scorer in theory, but the reality is he hasn’t cracked 15 points in a game yet. Maybe it’s the opportunity; he’s only averaging 16 minutes a game. Mike Brown’s rotation roulette while he figured out what worked for him meant playing time for Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti, particularly in the absence, at times, of Hart, McBride, and Mitchell Robinson.

Less Is More: Cutting the Rotation

Going 11 deep when your bench is good can work out well for your team, like it does for the Thunder. Your role players build confidence during the regular season, and your stars stay fresh till the postseason (theoretically). Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out that way for the Knicks.

Poor bench play has been a feature of all three Knicks losses. The Heat had a 44-21 advantage in bench points, the Bucks 34-18, and the Bulls 53-21. After leading the team in bench scoring last year, McBride is once again the leading scorer at 8.8 points per game. Amongst bench units, the Knicks are 29th in field goal percentage.

Brown playing a deep bench makes sense, given the imperative from the front office and the fanbase. However, it seems that he also recognizes the need to trim the fat. On Sunday, he told SNY, “I have to do a better job, and I thought I did tonight, of trying to have a rotation and stick with it, while still playing 9.5, 10 guys.” In the rematch with the Bulls following their loss on Halloween, Brown shortened the bench to a main four. Clarkson, still yet to play 20 minutes, had 15 points in his best performance of the season.

The bench had 46 points in that game, led by Clarkson and Hart. They combined for 27 of the 33 bench points the following night against the Wizards. Brown has cut the rotation to Clarkson, Hart, and McBride, with the fourth spot going to either Shamet or Guerschon Yabusele.

A Blueprint for Success: Season-Long Outlook

Brown will have to roll with this lineup for longer than two games before anyone knows what the bench will be. For now, there’s little reason to think the answers to the Knicks’ problems aren’t already on the roster. Clarkson, Hart, and McBride can be difference makers with consistent minutes. It’s up to Brown to commit to what he has or decide he doesn’t have what he needs.