Since taking over in New York, Mike Brown hasn’t hesitated to tinker with lineups, searching for combinations that can push the Knicks closer to contention. Now, with a new wrinkle on the horizon, he might be unlocking something special: a three-guard look featuring Jalen Brunson, Tyler Kolek, and Deuce McBride.
This trio hasn’t shared the floor yet-not for a single second. That’s not all that surprising.
Kolek is still relatively new to the rotation, and the Knicks have generally been cautious about deploying three undersized guards at once. But Landry Shamet’s shoulder injury has forced Brown’s hand.
With the wing depth stretched thin-rookie Mohamed Diawara is making a case, but he’s still raw-Brown’s been dipping his toe into the three-guard pool. Now, with McBride nearing a return from his ankle injury, we’re about to see what this setup can really do.
Why Deuce McBride changes the equation
Brunson and Kolek have already started to see more time together, and the early returns are eye-opening. Over the last seven games, they’ve shared the floor in four of them.
In those 36 minutes, the Knicks have outscored opponents by 26 points. That kind of net rating would lead the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency if stretched across a full season.
And that’s without McBride in the mix.
Most of those minutes have come without Jordan Clarkson, who’s been part of the Knicks’ three-guard experiments in the past. But replacing Clarkson with McBride isn’t a lateral move-it’s a strategic upgrade.
While McBride doesn’t have the same scoring volume or flash, he brings a more efficient, low-maintenance offensive game. Over half of McBride’s shots come without a single dribble, compared to just 45 percent for Clarkson.
He spaces the floor, knocks down open looks, and doesn’t need the ball to be effective.
Defensively, the difference is even more stark. McBride is a legitimate point-of-attack defender-something Clarkson simply isn’t.
Pairing McBride with Kolek and Brunson allows Brown to maintain defensive integrity without sacrificing ball-handling or shooting. McBride’s presence also lets Kolek slide off the toughest defensive assignments and focus on disrupting passing lanes, where he quietly excels.
Unlocking a new dimension
Let’s be clear: this trio isn’t going to become the Knicks’ go-to closing lineup. With Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges in the mix, and Josh Hart still playing meaningful minutes, there’s only so much room in the crunch-time rotation. But that doesn’t mean Brown shouldn’t lean into this three-guard look during the flow of the game.
In fact, he should.
Giving Brunson, Kolek, and McBride extended run together could ease the load on the team’s wings, who are logging heavy minutes. It also helps Brown keep all his guards engaged without having to dramatically cut roles.
McBride’s minutes are secure when he returns-he’s earned that. But that puts pressure on Kolek or Clarkson, especially if Shamet makes his way back into the rotation.
That’s not a bad problem. It’s the kind of depth dilemma coaches dream about.
But if Brown can harness the Brunson-McBride-Kolek trio correctly, this could evolve from a luxury into a legitimate weapon. It’s a group that can stretch the floor, hound opposing guards, and push tempo-all without compromising the Knicks’ identity.
We’re about to find out just how far this three-guard wrinkle can go. But if early signs are any indication, it might be the kind of move that helps the Knicks take another step forward in a crowded Eastern Conference.