The New York Knicks made a bold statement this offseason-and it wasn’t a blockbuster trade or splashy free-agent signing. It was a change at the top.
After their deepest playoff run in 25 years, the team parted ways with Tom Thibodeau and handed the keys to Mike Brown. The message was clear: a deep run is no longer enough.
It’s championship or bust now, and the front office believes Brown is the guy to get them there.
Now, with the trade deadline in the rearview and the roster essentially locked in, Brown has the rest of the regular season to do what matters most-build a playoff-ready rotation. That’s going to be a process, especially with Deuce McBride sidelined following surgery until the postseason. But the additions of Jose Alvarado via trade and Jeremy Sochan from the buyout market give Brown a full deck to work with.
Sorting Through the Rotation Puzzle
Brown has been pretty clear about his core group. The starting five-Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns-are locked in. That unit gives New York a mix of scoring, perimeter defense, and versatility that can go toe-to-toe with any lineup in the league.
Beyond the starters, Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, and McBride (when healthy) round out what Brown has referred to as his top eight. All three have logged significant minutes this season and bring something different to the table-Robinson’s rim protection, Shamet’s shooting, and McBride’s on-ball defense.
But the emergence of rookie Mohamed Diawara has added an intriguing wrinkle. He wasn’t expected to be a rotation fixture this early in his career, but his blend of size, defensive instincts, and playmaking has forced the coaching staff to take notice. He’s raw, sure, but he brings a skill set that’s hard to ignore-especially for a team that wants to lean into defensive identity and switchability.
Alvarado and Sochan: X-Factors or Rotation Disruptors?
Then there’s the new blood. Jose Alvarado brings grit, energy, and a knack for making life miserable for opposing guards.
He’s the kind of player who can swing a quarter-or even a game-with a few timely steals or hustle plays. Jeremy Sochan, meanwhile, offers defensive versatility and toughness, though his offensive game is still a work in progress, especially when it comes to outside shooting.
That’s where things get tricky. Neither Sochan nor Diawara is a reliable shooter at this point, and that might force Brown into some tough decisions.
You can’t afford to have too many non-shooters on the floor in playoff basketball, where spacing becomes a premium and every possession is magnified. So it may come down to matchups-does Brown need Diawara’s length and instincts or Sochan’s physicality and switchability?
A Deep Bench, But Limited Minutes
At the end of the day, Brown has 11 players who could realistically see playoff minutes. But come postseason, rotations tighten.
Whether he rolls with eight, nine, or one of his classic “nine-and-a-half-man” groups, Brown will have to make some tough calls. And he’s got the rest of the regular season to figure it out.
What’s clear is that the Knicks don’t have time-or room-for misfit pieces. Every player in this mix needs to fit the final vision.
This isn’t about developing for the future anymore. It’s about maximizing the present.
The Knicks have the talent, the depth, and now, a coach with a fresh perspective. The only question left is how all those puzzle pieces come together when it matters most.