Knicks 2025 Free Agency

Knicks Taking Their Time With Their Last Roster Spot

by
NBA

The Knicks’ championship hopes could depend on their final roster spot. Their bench ranked dead last in NBA scoring last season and every contribution matters. The reserves managed just 21.7 points per game, which put them at the bottom of the league by a wide margin. This weakness is what was holding them back from their title aspirations.

The front office knew they had to make moves and they swiftly did. Mike Brown replaced Tom Thibodeau as head coach, Jordan Clarkson joined the roster, and Guerschon Yabusele brings 11.0 points per game and a 38% three-point shooting percentage. Suddenly, the Knicks doubled their bench scoring with only $8 million in cap space. So far so good. Now with the margin of winning being so thin at the top of the NBA, fans want to see what else Leon Rose has up his sleeve.

But here’s the thing – one roster spot sits empty. That final decision could make a hero with a team ready to capitalize on a weakened Eastern Conference or fans doing the same ol’ song and dance. Get it right, and suddenly that bench weakness becomes a weapon. Get it wrong? Fans will be disappointed with a similar result to the end of last season. 

Mike Brown Bench Philosophy 

There is no sugarcoating it. The lack of high quality depth minutes is what kept them out of the finals and in the upper echelon of the NBA’s elite. Fans will add coaching but that’s a different story for a different day. The reserves couldn’t score enough points and firepower when the starters needed a break. It was the difference between winning and losing against the best of the NBA. Things also tended to look worse during big games. The Knicks’ bench played only 30 minutes against Oklahoma City while the Thunder’s reserves logged 70. The Thunder’s bench dominated that game and outscored the Knicks 24-5. The playoffs showed more of the same – their second unit averaged the lowest minutes in the semifinals at 10.8 and put up just 15.6 points per game.

New head coach Mike Brown brings fresh ideas about using the bench. There is no way the starters should see the minutes they did under Thibs. Part of his experience and expertise is in the realm of working with players to reach their full potential. The Knicks already had one of the league’s best offenses, but knowing how to vary their lineups should make them work better. Adding Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele gives Brown extra firepower off the bench. In spite of that, filling that final roster spot remains vital to complete Brown’s rotation. The team’s lineup flexibility will depend the blend these pieces into a solid bench unit.

Teams need strong benches more than ever in today’s NBA playoffs. Getting extra wins from your seventh, eighth, and ninth players will  change close series. The new collective bargaining agreement limits how contending teams build their rosters. Teams must find affordable players who can contribute. Successful teams always have role players who excel at specific tasks in key moments.

What Jordan Clarkson & Guerschon Yabusele Bring

The front office didn’t mess around. For roughly $8 million, the Knicks already accomplished for the bench what they sought out for. Credit to the front office for addressing these problems while staying under the 2nd apron of the luxury tax. 

Jordan Clarkson brings exactly what the Knicks were missing – a guy who wants and lives to score the basketball. His 16.2 points per game with Utah last season might not jump off the page, but watch him work. Clarkson’s evolved his playmaking to 4.5 assists per game over the last three seasons, and Brown as coach can definitely trust him to play within the system. The shooting numbers tell the story. Clarkson knocked down 37% from three last season, but here’s the kicker – he hit 46% from the corners. That corner three is money in today’s NBA, and Clarkson has it figured out.

Guerschon Yabusele might be their steal of the summer. He shot 38% from deep last season, putting him in elite company. Only 10 NBA big men matched that efficiency. That’s the kind of shooting that opens up everything for a team. But Yabusele’s impact goes beyond the three-point line. He ranked in the 98th percentile in transition effectiveness, perfect for a team looking to push pace. An area the Knicks were not always great in. Around the rim? He converted 71% from the short midrange area. His two-year, $12 million deal with a player option gives the Knicks flexibility moving forward. The beauty of Yabusele’s skill set? He can play next to Towns or Robinson thanks to his shooting range. Brown suddenly has lineup options he never had before.

Who could fill the Knicks’ last roster spot

The Knicks must make a crucial decision about their final roster addition. Several players could fit well in Mike Brown’s rotation. Let’s break down who might fill that last spot and why the front office is taking their sweet time making this decision.

Landry Shamet’s shooting and familiarity

Shamet would address the team’s shooting weakness. He shot 39.7% from three-point range last season with the Knicks. His performance peaked late in the regular season when he averaged 12.2 points while shooting 49.3% from deep in his final 10 games. The playoffs showcased Shamet’s defensive abilities too. He led all Knicks players with a +21 plus-minus in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Shamet’s biggest advantage comes from his familiarity with the team. He knows his role well and has experience with most of the roster. The 12th man position suits him perfectly, and he needs minimal adjustment under a new coach.

Ben Simmons’ Upside and Risk: A Gamble They Can’t Afford

Simmons’ name keeps floating around NBA circles, but let’s be honest – he’s not the optimal choice for a team with championship aspirations. Yes, the former number one pick offers defensive versatility with his 6-foot-10 frame allowing him to guard four or five positions effectively. But at what cost?

This is a player who has quit on multiple teams when the going got tough. He refused to shoot in crucial playoff moments with Philadelphia, then orchestrated his exit through a questionable mental health absence. When Brooklyn needed him most, he was nowhere to be found. How do you trust someone with that track record in New York’s pressure cooker environment?

The health concerns alone should be disqualifying. Back problems have sidelined him for all but 108 games out of a possible 328 over four seasons. Last season, he played just 33 games after microscopic partial discectomy surgery. I’ve seen more reliable subway service during a snowstorm. 

Offensively, he’s a complete liability. Simmons averaged a career-low 5.0 points per game between the Nets and Clippers. His playmaking skills (5.6 assists per game) remain his only offensive contribution, but is that enough when defenders can completely ignore him beyond five feet from the basket? The Knicks are too close to contention to waste their final roster spot on a reclamation project with questionable commitment. Championship windows don’t stay open forever – we need players we can count on when it matters most.

The Other Names Worth Watching

Malcolm Brogdon brings Sixth Man of the Year credentials, though health concerns follow him everywhere. When available, his combination of shooting, playmaking, and defensive intelligence would be perfect for our second unit. 

Cameron Payne also offers the advantage of familiarity. He contributed 6.9 points and 2.8 assists while shooting a reliable 36.3% from three-point range for New York last season. His playoff experience proved valuable during our Eastern Conference Finals run, and his availability (72 games played) shouldn’t be overlooked. Bringing back Payne in a reduced role could provide the continuity and a proven fit within our rotation.

Seth Curry remains one of the purest shooters available, perfect for what this second unit needs. His career 43.5% mark from beyond the arc would immediately address our spacing concerns.

The front office faces a classic dilemma: proven chemistry versus upside potential. Their championship aspirations could hinge on getting this decision right. Sometimes the safest bet pays the biggest dividends when everything’s on the line.

Strategic Patience: The Giannis Factor

The New York front office shows patience with their final roster spot because of financial strategy and potential blockbuster opportunities. They have the luxury of letting things unfold before making their next significant decision. According to Ian Begley, Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors are being closely monitored by the Knicks front office. This explains their hesitation to finalize roster decisions – why lock in your final piece when a seismic shift could be on the horizon?

This patience extends to the Mikal Bridges contract situation as well. The Knicks can offer Bridges a four-year, $156.2 million extension, but there’s a critical August 6th deadline looming. The Mikal Bridges contract extension remains a priority, though timing may depend on other opportunities.

What complicates matters is the 6-month trade restriction that would come with any extension. If Bridges signs that deal, he can’t be moved until February 2026 at the earliest. That’s a problem if the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors materialize into something concrete before then. The three-year, $86 million alternative for Bridges might actually provide better flexibility for both parties. It gives Bridges another shot at a max contract sooner while giving the Knicks more options if a superstar becomes available. 

Reaching the Ultimate Ceiling

The Knicks have a few vital decisions to make as they approach the 2025 season. They may have patched the bench but there is still a little wiggle room for some upside. Mike Brown brings a fresh perspective to managing rotations and it’s the Front Offices job to provide the best roster possible.

The team still has one roster spot open. The front office must weigh several compelling options, each with its own risk-reward balance. Landry Shamet brings shooting skills and knows the team well. Ben Simmons offers defensive flexibility but raises injury concerns. Malcolm Brogdon and other veterans could make an immediate difference.

The Knicks enjoy rare financial freedom in their decision-making staying below the second apron while their rivals face tight budget constraints. A well-chosen player for that final spot could turn into a spark plug when teams are dying for it.  Playoff games frequently come down to these subtle edges. Finding the perfect fit matters more than signing a big name. The Knicks seem committed to making the right decision instead of a quick one. That final roster spot might hold the key to bringing the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to Madison Square Garden next June.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *