Here we go.
The New York Knicks have closed the book on the preseason and set their roster for opening night. With the roster finalized, all eyes now turn to Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks will tip off their season Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Here’s a look at the Knicks’ official roster ahead of opening night.
- PG: Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek
- SG: Mikal Bridges, Jordan Clarkson, Landry Shamet, Kevin McCullar Jr. (two-way deal)
- SF: OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Pacôme Dadiet, Mohamed Diawara, Tosan Evbuomwan (two-way contract)
- PF: Karl-Anthony Towns, Guerschon Yabusele
- C: Mitchell Robinson, Ariel Hukporti, Trey Jemison III (two-way contract)
Biggest takeaways
Landry Shamet secures roster spot… As he should
Entering training camp, Landry Shamet was among several veteran guards vying for a roster spot, joining Matt Ryan, Malcolm Brogdon, and Garrison Mathews in the competition.
Ultimately, the Knicks parted ways with Mathews and Ryan, while Brogdon’s unexpected retirement opened the door for Shamet to secure his place on the team.
Shamet embodies what coaches look for in a dependable depth piece, capable of contributing on both ends and fitting seamlessly into any rotation.
Shamet provided steady production for New York last season, averaging 5.7 points across 15.2 minutes per game while shooting an efficient 46.1% from the floor and 39.7% from beyond the arc.
His impact grew during the Eastern Conference Finals, where his hustle and perimeter defense stood out. Shamet hit seven three-pointers in the four-game set, which made him a fan favorite throughout the team’s playoff run.
For the Knicks, Shamet’s blend of defensive effort and reliable outside shooting gives the team a spark plug off the bench who can contribute valuable minutes when called upon.
The Knicks keep both Tyler Kolek and Pacôme Dadiet entering the season
Throughout the offseason, speculation surrounded the futures of Tyler Kolek and Pacôme Dadiet, with both young players viewed as potential trade chips.
Despite the uncertainty and facing long odds on a veteran-heavy roster, the pair battled through camp and preseason to earn spots on the Knicks’ final 15-man roster.
With New York chasing a championship, opportunities may be limited for the two rookies. But their ability to carve out a roster spot in such a deep rotation speaks to their competitiveness and the organization’s belief in their long-term upside, especially Dadiet as a first-round pick last year.
Biggest questions
Will Ariel Hukporti be a part of the Knicks’ rotation?
Before suffering a torn meniscus last season, Ariel Hukporti made the most of limited minutes with the New York Knicks, quickly becoming a fan favorite for his energy and physicality.
Now, on a standard NBA contract, not a two-way deal, Hukporti faces questions about his role heading into the season. Mitchell Robinson will start at center, with Karl-Anthony Towns occupying the power forward spot, leaving Hukporti in a fluid position.
Some nights, he may not see the floor; others, he could find himself thrust into the starting lineup. Given Robinson’s injury history, it wouldn’t be surprising if the German big man logs 10 to 20 starts this year.
Still, Hukporti’s path to consistent minutes remains uncertain as he works back from injury and adjusts to the demands of the NBA game.
Who will be the Knicks’ primary backup point guard?
Veteran Malcolm Brogdon was expected to serve as the Knicks’ primary backup point guard behind Jalen Brunson. But following his retirement, that role is suddenly wide open.
It looks like Deuce McBride is the favorite to be the No. 2 option at least to open the year, though he profiles more as an athletic combo guard than a true floor general.
McBride is likely to see meaningful minutes and could thrive under Mike Brown’s system, but it’s a stretch to pencil him in as the definitive backup.
Brown can also experiment with different options, allowing multiple players to audition for the job to open the season. Among them, second-year guard Tyler Kolek has a prime opportunity to seize a spot in the rotation.
