Why Knicks are in a good place in the NBA Eastern Conference

The New York Knicks entered the season in championship-or-bust mode after reaching their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000.

But even with those lofty expectations, the franchise opened its 80th season with a handful of glaring roster concerns. So far, however, the early returns have been promising. Entering Friday's game against Atlanta, second-place New York is 23–10 and firmly in the mix for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. 

What should be even more encouraging for Knicks fans is that head coach Mike Brown’s flexible rotations may already be addressing the team’s two most pressing weaknesses. 

Here’s why the Knicks — who are coming off a heartbreaking 134–132 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday — are well positioned as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches.

Knicks had significant weaknesses going into this season

After their 2025 playoff elimination to the Indiana Pacers, it became clear the Knicks needed a legitimate backup point guard to ease the playmaking burden on Jalen Brunson, along with another versatile wing to slot in behind Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.

The front office attempted to address those issues in free agency, but neither move has worked out. Guard Malcolm Brogdon retired just weeks before the regular season, and the signing of Guerschon Yabusele has quickly gone sideways. The 30-year-old forward has fallen out of Brown’s regular rotation and has struggled to keep pace defensively against opposing wings.

Fortunately for New York, the long-term answers at both positions may already be in-house, thanks to the emergence of three young players.

Knicks might have found their long-term solutions at two positions

While the Eastern Conference contender has navigated a wave of injuries in recent months, Brown has continued to experiment with his lineups. Several players have taken advantage of the added opportunities, most notably second-year point guard Tyler Kolek (5.1 PPG).

The former second-round pick has been a reliable backup floor general over the past month, playing critical fourth-quarter minutes in several key wins, including the NBA Cup title game won by New York. 

Kolek, 24, has found success in rotations with both the starters and the bench unit, building chemistry with star center Karl-Anthony Towns and taking pressure off of Brunson to consistently initiate the offense. 

With his improved defense and three-point shot (37.1% in December), the former Marquette standout's recent play could mean that the front office doesn't look to add another point guard before the trade deadline. 

At backup wing, Mohamed Diawara and Kevin McCullar Jr. have both displayed intriguing upside early in their NBA careers. At 6-foot-9 and 225 pounds, Diawara — a 20-year-old rookie out of France — shot 50% from three in December and showcased promising tools as a defender with his 7-foot-4 wingpan. 

Diawara also recently had a breakout game, scoring a career-high 18 points in a Dec. 29 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Even so, the Knicks are getting outscored by 42 points with their rookie wing on the floor, suggesting he will likely not be a fixture in the playoff rotation without significant improvement.

McCullar Jr., meanwhile, is the more polished player of the two on both ends and has thrived when called upon. At 6-foot-6, the former Kansas All-American and Big 12 All-Defensive team selection is the smaller of the Knicks' two young wings, but the 24-year-old can guard one through four and recently posted a career highs in points (13) and rebounds (eight) against the Atlanta Hawks. 

Regardless of the debate over who is better between Diawara and McCullar Jr., the past month has proved that the Knicks have less of an issue at the backup point guard and backup wing positions than they did earlier in the regular season. 

However, there's also a chance team president Leon Rose looks to flip one of these young players and Yabusele for a more proven asset (particularly on defense) before the trade deadline, perhaps New Orleans' Saddiq Bey (15.1 PPG).. 

After all, it's championship-or-bust mode for the Knicks.