What Knicks Rotation Looks Like After Stellar Free Agent Signings

Free agency has officially started, with players moving all around the league to different teams and situations. While NBA free agency isn’t as big as it used to be under the new restrictive CBA, there have still been some stunning moves. Many teams tried to upgrade their rosters, while others’ main goal was cost cutting (a common theme in the second apron era). The New York Knicks were stuck in the middle, with a need to improve their squad with very limited resources. It’s a very tough line to walk when the penalties of overspending are so harsh, but Leon Rose has once again struck gold with two savvy, cheap moves.

What Knicks Rotation Looks Like After Stellar Free Agent Signings

The Knicks have had one of the more underrated free agency periods, nailing two value deals to add to their rotation. Rose has shown an aptitude for finding a way to improve the team despite being boxed in by his lack of financial resources. This is a key trait in executives these days, with the new CBA being so punitive.

New York was able to land Jordan Clarkson on a one-year, veteran minimum contract. The 2021 Sixth Man of the Year averaged 16.2 points and 3.7 assists for the Utah Jazz last season on an inefficient 40.8 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from three. The 33-year-old Clarkson is perfect for the Knicks, who need a flamethrower guard who can run offense off the bench. The Missouri product excels as a shot creator and pick-and-roll player in small samples, and his efficiency should only tick upwards with better surrounding talent in a winning situation. Being the second or third guard off the bench is a perfect role for the 11-year veteran.

Rose also signed Guerschon Yabusele on a two-year, $12M deal to be a backup big man. After parlaying a strong 2024 Olympics with France into an NBA contract in Philadelphia, Yabusele posted 11.0 points and 5.6 rebounds on stellar efficiency (50.1% from the field and 38.0% from three). Yabusele is an excellent offensive center who can stretch the floor and attack closeouts effectively. He should fit right into New York’s five-out offense off the bench.

NY Now Has a Deep Nine-Man Rotation 

After Rose pulled a rabbit out of the hat to get these two guys for a combined $9.3M in 2026, New York now has a solid nine-man group they can rely on. This is a farcry from the seven-man rotation they wore down on their way to the Conference Finals in 2025. Depth was a main weakness of this team last year, and Rose took care of that. New coach Mike Brown will have the final say on how the lineups are configured. I’d expect it to look something like this:

Starters: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson

Bench: Josh Hart, Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele, Ariel Hukporti, Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet

These 12 guys are either locks or have a chance to feature in the rotation at some point. The first nine are guaranteed to start the season as the main rotation, and the three second-years will get their opportunities to play meaningful minutes. Hukporti is insurance against a Robinson injury that feels certain to come at some point. Kolek will get backup guard minutes at times, and the 20-year-old Dadiet is oozing with potential.

Which Starting Lineup Will It Be?

There are two questions regarding the Knicks rotation heading into 2025-26, barring any further changes. Which five will be the starters on opening night, and which of the three sophomores will contribute? The second will be answered throughout the season, but the first is a pressing debate. Head coach Mike Brown will have his pick from three options: start Josh Hart, Miles McBride, or Mitchell Robinson in that fifth spot.

As we know, Hart is the incumbent pick for the fifth starter, as he started nearly every game in 2025. However, his poor performance as a shooter, defender, and ball handler led to terrible net ratings with that group last year. He will likely come off the bench. So, Robinson or McBride?

It may depend on matchups, but if they stick with one guy in the starting five for continuity’s sake, my guess is that it would be Robinson. New York excelled with their double big look last season, and Robinson was dynamite in the playoffs defensively. He helps NY at the rim, on the glass at both ends, and is a great screener and lob threat. If the Knicks need spacing and point-of-attack defense, McBride is always there to slot in.

In any case, those 12 players are the guys you can expect to suit up consistently for NY in 2025-26. Rose did a masterful job improving the roster with limited means. Now, Knicks fans should expect this group to matchup with anyone.