Knicks lineup prediction: advanced rotation depth analysis and starting lineup changes

Although the main lineup of the New York Knicks in 2025-26 season has been basically determined, the team still has some follow-up work to complete before the start of the season.

After signing Jordan Clarkson and Gaelson Yabuselle (both joining on a contract that is slightly lower than the taxpayer's middle class special), the Knicks can still strengthen the team's lineup with a veteran's basic salary and a second-round rookie special.

It is too early to draw conclusions on the rotation lineup under new coach Mike Brown - especially considering that the team may still sign rotation players with basic salary. But then again, it is the offseason in mid-August, and nothing has happened. So I decided to predict the depth of the new season's lineup in advance and share some opinions. I will make another in-depth prediction at the end of the preseason.

Let's get started.

Premium rotation depth table:

Does the starting lineup be adjusted?

First of all, it is clear: I think Josh Hart deserves the starting position. If he ultimately fails to make the starter (as I predict), this reflects more of the Knicks and Brown's determination to improve the defensive system than denying Hart's value. Making Mitchell Robinson the frontcourt defensive pillar is the key move. What's more, if the starting lineup really needs to be adjusted, Hart will be the player with the strongest psychological endurance in the starting lineup last season.

Although the team reached the Eastern Conference Finals, the starting lineup consisting of Brunson, Bridges, Hart, Anunobi and Towns struggled in the playoffs - the five-man team played together for 335 minutes (the longest of all the postseason rosters), with a net efficiency as low as -6.2. Midway through the playoffs, then-head coach Tom Thibodeau transferred Robinson to the starting lineup at Hart's initiative.

Ultimately, I think that the Brown coaching team will permanently fix Robinson as the starting lineup to maximize the defensive system. According to my prediction in mid-August, Robinson may become the first starter to be replaced - by then Yabussele will make the Knicks more thorough in implementing the five-for-one tactics (Downs switches to center).

However, I wouldn't be surprised if Brown eventually retains Hart's starting position. He admired Hart's ability to fight and attack in series. Let's wait and see. How many people will Brown use to rotate?

Although I listed Ariel Hookporti as "substitute center" in the above list, I don't think he will really take on the role. It is expected that Towns, Robinson, Abussele and Hart will take all the frontcourt time, and there will always be one person on the court or Towns or Robinson. Brown may give Hooker Porty a few minutes to consider Robinson's injury history, but I don't think he can enter a fixed rotation at the beginning of the season (unless Robinson needs to take a rotation every three games).

My intuition is that Brown will use a steady nine-man rotation, expected to include: Brunson, Bridges, Anunobi, Towns, Hart, Robinson, Miles McBride, Clarkson and Yabussele.

The Knicks' lineup depth is not enough to support the ten-player rotation, but occasionally giving players like Pacom Dadiye may be beneficial to the team. The team still needs a substitute point guard – in my opinion McBride is more inclined toward off-point guard. But if the Knicks signed Landry Shamet with the final veteran's basic salary (this possibility does exist), McBride may be the backup point guard. What two-way contract players may sign for the Knicks?

I wouldn't be surprised if New York signs second-round pick Mohamed Diavala with one of three two-way contract spots - there have been rumors in the industry since the Summer League.

Kevin McCaller may occupy one place in the other two places. As I have communicated with several league people, since McCaller has been in the NBA for one year, he is not eligible to use the second round special case to enter the official roster (this place must be reserved for players who have never signed an NBA contract, and McCaller signed a two-way contract last season). If he wants to get him on the official list, the Knicks must use the veteran's basic salary quota or make room through trades - I don't see the former possibility at the moment.

The third place may sign players like Dink Petter, which is a good choice for the Knicks.