The New York Knicks are approaching a pivotal stretch in their backcourt rotation, and the next few weeks could tell us everything we need to know about Jordan Clarkson’s future with the team. With Deuce McBride on the verge of returning from an ankle injury and Tyler Kolek playing his way into a legitimate role, the minutes are about to get tight-and Clarkson might be the one feeling the squeeze.
Let’s start with McBride. He’s been sidelined recently, but according to reports, he’s nearing a return, and when he’s back, he’s not coming in as an afterthought.
McBride’s defensive tenacity has always been his calling card, but it’s his three-point shooting-both in volume and efficiency-that’s made him a key piece of this Knicks roster. He spaces the floor, defends at a high level, and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact.
In a Tom Thibodeau system that values toughness and consistency, McBride checks a lot of boxes.
Then there’s Tyler Kolek, who’s quietly carved out a spot in the rotation while McBride and Landry Shamet have been out. What started as a temporary fill-in role has turned into something more.
Kolek’s not lighting it up from deep just yet, but he’s finishing well inside the arc-hitting 60% of his twos over the last 10-plus games-and he’s showing more confidence in letting it fly from distance. That’s a big development for a rookie who was initially viewed as a situational option.
More importantly, Kolek has given New York another reliable ball-handler. He’s calm under pressure, can run the offense without turning the ball over, and has shown the ability to draw help on drives-an underrated skill that creates open looks for teammates.
That trust was on full display when Mike Brown chose to close with him during the Knicks’ NBA Cup Final win over the Spurs. That wasn’t a fluke.
It was a strategic move that spoke volumes about where Kolek stands in the pecking order.
Which brings us to Clarkson.
The veteran guard has had his moments-he showed up big in stretches during the NBA Cup Final-but inconsistency has plagued him all season. He’s shooting under 30% from three and barely clearing 40% on two-pointers in recent weeks. That’s not going to cut it, especially when the Knicks are looking for someone to stabilize the offense when Jalen Brunson is off the floor.
And that’s where the contrast becomes stark. When Brunson sits, the offense has flowed better with Kolek in control than with Clarkson. The numbers back it up, and the eye test confirms it: Kolek is simply making better decisions and giving the Knicks more structure in those non-Brunson minutes.
Clarkson still has time to turn things around, and the Knicks knew they were getting a high-variance scorer when they brought him in. He can heat up in a hurry and swing a game with his shot-making. But with McBride returning and Kolek staking his claim, the Knicks are running out of reasons to keep Clarkson in the regular rotation-especially if they’re still eyeing another guard via trade.
Unless the Knicks decide to downsize and start cutting into the minutes of someone like Josh Hart or Mikal Bridges-which seems unlikely given their versatility and defensive value-Clarkson could find himself on the outside looking in.
The writing isn’t on the wall just yet, but it’s starting to take shape. If the current trends hold, Clarkson’s role could shrink fast. And with the trade deadline creeping closer, his name might not just be in rotation debates-it could be in trade talks, too.
For now, all eyes are on McBride’s return and Kolek’s continued rise. The Knicks’ backcourt is getting crowded, and someone’s going to get squeezed. Right now, Clarkson looks like the most likely candidate.