The New York Knicks are off to a scorching start in the 2025-26 season, and there’s no denying it - this team is rolling. At 18-7, they hold the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and are just one win away from claiming the inaugural NBA Cup.
It’s not just the wins, though - it’s how they’re getting them. Under new head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks are playing with structure, energy, and purpose.
It’s a group that looks locked in, and the results speak for themselves.
But as promising as this early-season surge has been, the path to a deep playoff run - and maybe even a long-awaited championship - still has a few hurdles. And one of the biggest? Depth.
The Knicks' Rotation: Strong Core, Shaky Support
Right now, the Knicks are leaning heavily on a core five that’s as solid as any in the league: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart. That group has been the engine behind New York’s success, combining scoring punch, defensive versatility, and high basketball IQ. But as the season wears on and the playoffs loom, the question becomes: who else can they count on?
Sure, Mike Brown has expanded the rotation to include 10 players logging double-digit minutes - a notable shift from the previous era under Tom Thibodeau, where the bench often felt more like a rumor than a resource. But when it comes down to it, playoff basketball is about trust. It’s about knowing who can give you quality minutes when the pressure ratchets up and the margin for error disappears.
Right now, the Knicks don’t have enough of those guys.
Injuries and Inconsistencies Creating a Depth Dilemma
Part of the issue has been health. Miles McBride and Landry Shamet have both missed time, limiting their ability to carve out consistent roles.
Meanwhile, Guerschon Yabusele - once seen as a key addition - hasn’t delivered the kind of impact the team hoped for. That’s left New York in a bit of a bind.
The rotation is top-heavy, and while the starters are doing the heavy lifting, the team needs someone else to lighten the load.
As Bryce Simon put it on a recent episode of the Game Theory Podcast, “You can’t win 16 games with seven dudes in the playoffs.” And he’s right.
Winning a championship means surviving four grueling rounds, each more demanding than the last. You need depth.
You need options. You need, as Simon put it, “another dude.”
Trade Talks Heating Up
The good news? The Knicks seem to know it.
According to recent reports, team president Leon Rose and the front office have already started kicking the tires on potential additions. Two names that have surfaced: Jose Alvarado of the Pelicans and Donte DiVincenzo, now with the Timberwolves but still a fan favorite in New York.
Alvarado would bring grit, energy, and defensive tenacity to the backcourt - a classic change-of-pace guard who can spark runs and frustrate opposing ball-handlers. DiVincenzo, meanwhile, offers shooting, playmaking, and a familiarity with the Garden lights. Either one could slot into the rotation and give the Knicks that extra jolt they’re missing.
And then there’s the big fish. The Knicks have been linked - however loosely - to Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s a whole different conversation, and while it’s far from imminent, the fact that New York is even in those discussions shows how aggressive this front office is willing to be.
What Comes Next
Whether it’s a backcourt spark plug, a versatile wing, or added frontcourt depth behind Towns and Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks have options. The trade deadline is still a couple of months away, but the groundwork is already being laid.
This team is good - no question. But if they want to be great, if they want to finally bring another banner to Madison Square Garden for the first time since 1973, they’ll need to round out the rotation with someone who can help carry the weight when it matters most.
The Knicks are close. But in a league where margins are razor-thin and playoff basketball is a war of attrition, “close” isn’t good enough.
They need one more piece. One more reliable contributor.
One more dude.