Miles McBride’s place in the Knicks’ rotation is worth watching right away, and not just because of what he’s done over the last few seasons.
There’s no question the Knicks value him. Around the team and across the league, McBride has built a reputation as an important piece.
But he’s not a finished product. He’s a shooting guard in a point guard’s body, and without the ball-handling or shot creation to consistently generate offense for himself or teammates, there are matchups where even his usually reliable defense can’t fully cover the gaps.
That tension has been showing up more lately. Over the last few months, McBride hasn’t looked like his usual self. He struggled in the Finals, was arguably the most disappointing player in the preseason, and then had another rough offensive night in the season opener, when his shot went awry again.
Of course, that’s a tiny sample compared to the three seasons’ worth of evidence the Knicks have on him. But the opening game did raise an interesting question: do the Knicks see him the same way the outside world does?
Last season, McBride played fewer than 15 minutes in only four of his 41 regular-season games, and a couple of those came because of injury. On opening night this season, he was already one for one in that department, which stood out because the opponent was Tyrese Maxey, the kind of explosive downhill point guard McBride is often used to check.
Even before the season started, there was reason to wonder whether his role might shift. Landry Shamet’s strong playoff play had some around the team thinking McBride’s minutes could be in jeopardy.
Shamet averaged 23 mpg last season, while McBride was just behind him at 26.3MPG. Both had their ups and downs, but it would still be a quick change for the Knicks to make this early in the year.
That’s why the opening-night usage could mean nothing at all - or it could hint at something bigger, including the possibility that the Knicks are at least open to trading McBride.
There are reasons to think that makes sense from a roster-building standpoint. McBride is on an expiring contract, and if the Knicks simply let the season play out, they could lose him for nothing.
He is still a young and talented player on a valuable contract, so that’s not an easy call. But if the Knicks’ top goal for the 2026-27 season is another championship, keeping him may be the smarter play.
The Knicks clearly like him. In a world without the second apron, an extension would probably already be done. But with his likely inevitable departure and the team’s apparent interest in Shamet, it’s fair to look at McBride’s opening-night role as a possible preview of what’s ahead.
He’s also one of the few trade pieces opponents would actually want, which makes him an obvious lever if the Knicks decide to shake things up. Even after the James Wiseman signing, Andre Drummond’s uneven second half has left some fans wondering whether another center is still needed. Mohamed Diawara’s absence from the rotation could also point to a need for another proven wing.
A lot of people expected this Knicks roster to come into the season with roles and minutes already set. Most of the contributors returned, Mitchell Robinson being the main exception, and the team entered the year healthy. Still, after one game, it’s all speculation.
Even so, McBride’s minutes and production are worth tracking closely in the first week. What happens next could tell us more than just how one player is being used - it could point to a trade or a larger rotation shift the Knicks haven’t shown yet.
In Other News...
Knicks Opener Put One Early Rotation Battle In The Spotlight
The Knicks season opener against Philadelphia did more than leave them with an early loss. It also offered a first look at how the back end of the rotation might shake out, and one of the clearest questions coming out of the night centered on Miles McBride. After an uneven offensive showing and a reduced workload, his role is already worth watching as the staff sorts through how many minutes are actually available behind the main pieces.
There are a few other roster wrinkles worth keeping in mind, too. James Wiseman did not play, but the current state of the backup center spot could still create an opening for him if the Knicks decide they need another look there, while Tyler Koleks path to a larger role looks crowded after veteran Jose Alvarado held up well. It is still early, of course, but the opener gave New York a reminder that some of its most interesting decisions this fall may not involve the headline names at all. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Young Core Just Got A Timely Boost From A Familiar Name
Dink Pates path back into the pro game turned quickly after the 2025 NBA Draft left him undrafted and initially headed to Providence College to preserve his NCAA eligibility. Once he was ruled ineligible for college basketball, he landed with the Knicks G-League affiliate on an Exhibit 10 contract, giving New York a familiar young name back in the organization and another developmental piece to track.
For a team trying to build a deeper young core while working around limited draft assets and roster pressure, the move carries some real value. The Knicks have been looking for every chance to add talent to the pipeline, and Pates return gives them a player they already know well enough to slot into that broader development plan. [Read more 🡒]
Andre Drummond Buzz Is Giving Heat Fans Plenty To Talk About
Andre Drummonds season opener against his former team gave the Knicks a familiar reminder of what he can still do on the glass. He finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds, a solid showing in a game that naturally carried a little extra edge for both sides given his past in New York.
After the game, though, the chatter moved well beyond the box score. A social media account sparked plenty of reaction by alleging Drummond is dating fitness influencer Sophia Zeilstra, and the post quickly caught fire among fans. There has been no verified or public confirmation of that relationship, but the rumor has already become part of the conversation around a night that was supposed to be about basketball. [Read more 🡒]