The Knicks are 8-5 despite working their way through the implementation of a new offense and injuries to their best player and another starter.
While the early results are solid, there are some weak points that have become apparent and are worth monitoring as the season progresses.
Here are the three biggest questions facing New York early this season...
Are they too small?
A recurring image in these early games has looked something like this: the Knicks miss a shot and try to get back defensively, but some 6’7” wing already has Landry Shamet pinned underneath the basket for an easy score or foul. Mismatches happen, but New York is generally running smaller lineups than prior years -- arguably a necessity for this offense to work and the team to get enough ball-handling.
The simplest way to portray this trend: Josh Hart and OG Anunoby’s minutes per game have fallen from 74.2 last season to 56.6, with Shamet and Jordan Clarkson taking on much of those minutes. The Knicks are top three in offense, but there is a downside to that trade-off in that you allow more favorable matchups and require more defensive rotations and help.
To quantify how big this issue is, New York ranks 16th defensively. But the damage is being done from three -- not the paint. How much of that is due to needing to help these smaller guards is the question.
There’s definitely a blow-by problem with the aforementioned names, especially once you throw in Jalen Brunson, on top of the size issue. These three-guard units should look much better if that’s tightened up.
New York could theoretically look to its bench for some added bulk on the wings, but Guerschon Yabusele is struggling to find his spot in the rotation and has largely played center, while their next best options are unproven youngsters Pacome Dadiet or Mohamed Diawara. The idea was for the new head coach to experiment more with these guys, but perhaps the staff and front office have closed the lab for now.
This likely won’t end up a long-term or debilitating issue with options at the end of the bench and trade deadline, not to mention simply playing bigger lineups when the time comes. Head coach Mike Brown is likely doing his due diligence in leaning on these smaller lineups, in hopes of getting them ready for the big stage.
Nov 3, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown looks on during a timeout in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. / Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
Do they need another depth upgrade?
Do the Knicks actually have enough on their bench? Their headline-grabbing offseason upgrades of Yabusele and Clarkson, healthy management of Mitchell Robinson, and unlocking of Shamet have all resulted in, once again, a championship-level nine-man rotation with a cliff dive in talent beyond that.
Yabusele has amassed 30 points on the season, Robinson is restricted, and none of the young talent that withered on last year’s bench has shown enough to demand alternative treatment this season. Tyler Kolek hasn’t gotten burn with Brunson hurt.
If the deep bench is truly that unplayable, it seems almost imperative that the Knicks add to it. Unfortunately, their options are scant.
The trade market will open up in less than a month, but with how close the Knicks and other teams are playing it to the new apron rules, finding the right deal will be tricky. If they want to truly upgrade they’ll likely have to deal one rotation piece for two, further limiting them.
There are still intriguing free agents out there like Spencer Dinwiddie, Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz, and Alec Burks, but the Knicks would need to make room to sign any of them. None would likely move the needle much, but that’s not what’s needed.
Ultimately, the Knicks just need a couple of guys to be ready should injuries or other circumstance befall them in their championship hunt. They should exist on the current roster, but until we see it this will be an ongoing concern.
Will the three-point defense improve?
Despite all the changes stemming from a swap in head coach, much of this team remains the same, like their defensive geography. New York is keeping with tradition in bottling up the paint, even throwing out new coverages we’ve yet to see to do so, at risk of giving up threes.
New York's foes are absolutely lacing them right now, as the Knicks are bottom five in opponent three-point accuracy. A good part of this is luck, as they’re making a very high amount of open looks, but they’re also getting too many, which should be a point of focus given New York’s average defensive performance.
This is reminiscent of prior years, as the Knicks historically helped aggressively one pass away and prioritized protecting the paint. The flavor is a bit different as they’ve thrown in different pick coverages and even some zone, but the issue is familiar and should improve over time.
Simply better, more engaged point to attack defense will help cut down on drives that send helpers into the blender. They can also get a little more selective with their switching depending on matchup and game flow.
If opponents slow down the three point barrage, that should also bump their numbers. Many times, we’ve seen seasons start with the Knicks getting rained on only for things to subside.