Knicks, Knicks rotation, Knicks depth chart, Jeremy Sochan
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Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks celebrate against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The New York Knicks significantly shored up their depth ahead of the All-Star break and will enter this year’s playoffs with one of the league’s deepest rosters, giving them excellent odds of snapping their 26-year NBA Finals drought.
With Jeremy Sochan and Jose Alvarado‘s additions, the Knicks now boast a legitimate 11-man rotation, and that’s not including rookie Mohamed Diawara, who has been a consistent performer for head coach Mike Brown in recent weeks. The 11-man rotation includes injured guard Miles McBride, who is expected to return in time for the playoffs after undergoing surgery for a core muscle injury recently.
Full Knicks Depth Chart
The Knicks have the luxury of bringing in Jordan Clarkson, a former Sixth Man of the Year, as part of their third-string lineups. Furthermore, Tyler Kolek, who played a key role in their NBA Cup Finals win in December, is another guard they can rely upon.
Mike Brown could also potentially go with two-big lineups of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson against certain matchups like the Detroit Pistons, who’ve enjoyed a lot of success in lineups with Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren.
Brown’s predecessor, Tom Thibodeau, didn’t have the same luxuries with last year’s roster, which ranked dead-last in the NBA in bench points by a wide margin. In the playoffs, Thibs had a seven-man rotation that he trusted, with three starters averaging over 38.0 minutes. This year’s playoff rotation will look vastly different.
Knicks Primed for NBA Finals?
Several former Knicks such as Carmelo Anthony feel that the trade deadline acquisition of Jose Alvarado could the piece that propels the franchise to the NBA Finals this year.
“Jose is who we needed,” Anthony said at a promotional event recently.
Josh Hart also believes that Alvarado, who had seven steals in his first three games before the All-Star break, is the piece that instills toughness in a Knicks team that many analysts widely perceive as “soft” for both their demeanor and playing style.
“That’s what we need,” Hart said after Alvarado picked up a technical foul Wednesday for getting into an argument with 76ers big man Trendon Watford.
“That’s what we want from him. Obviously that toughness, ability to help us get organized, ability to knock down shots. And defensively bring energy, bring physicality, get in the passing lanes, those kinds of things. That’s why he’s here.”
Sochan, another high-motor player, would bring similar intangibles to Alvarado. The former San Antonio Spurs lottery pick is expected to debut when the Knicks (35-20) host the Detroit Pistons (40-13) next Thursday, the first game after the All-Star break.
The red-hot Knicks enter the midseason break on a 10-2 record in their last 12 contests.