Ranking the Knicks’ eight most important players this season | Sporting News

The New York Knicks have assembled a deep, talented roster and have ambitions of contending for a championship.

After winning 50 games last year and coming within one game of the Eastern Conference Finals despite numerous injuries, the Knicks return much of last year’s squad, plus the addition of Mikal Bridges.

Of course, if the Knicks hope to improve upon last year’s success, they’ll need great performances up and down the roster. It’s not breaking news that some players carry greater weight than others into how far the Knicks go this season.

We’ve ranked the top eight most important Knicks below.

8. Miles McBride, G

McBride’s leap into a 41% three-point shooter on high volume was one of last season’s most surprising developments. The 24-year-old backup also showed improved ball-handling and shot-creation, to go with his usual strong on-ball defense, to become an important sparkplug for the Knicks.

This year will be a test of whether McBride had a few hot months as a shooter or whether he is legitimately one of the best bench guards in the NBA. The Knicks’ bench would be worse off if he can’t replicate last year’s performance.

7. Josh Hart, F

It may seem surprising to rank a player who was so vital to last season’s success so low. Indeed, Hart became — no pun intended — the heart of last year’s Knicks team with his relentless effort on the glass, on defense, and in transition.

But some of that was circumstance — Hart was thrust into a big role and embraced it, hardly ever coming off the floor. If the Knicks are healthy this year, Hart will play a smaller role off the bench. He is their third best wing defender and an up-and-down shooter, meaning his contributions — the rebounding, intensity, randomness — will be more of a luxury to bring off the bench, as opposed to someone who has to stay on the court for all 48 minutes of a playoff game.

6. Donte DiVincenzo, G

After playing an integral role on last year’s team with his shooting, improved off-the-dribble game, and feisty defense, DiVincenzo is set for a bench role that should have him in contention for Sixth Man of the Year. While DiVincenzo seems unlikely to regress, his three-point shooting will still be worth monitoring this year. DiVincenzo has run a bit hot-and-cold from three over his career, with three seasons where he shot below 35% and now 40% over his last two seasons (though he credits his 2022-23 season with the Warriors for making him a better shooter).

If DiVincenzo stays hot from three and brings that competitive energy off the bench this year, then Tom Thibodeau will have a tough time keeping him off the court.

5. Julius Randle, F/C(?)

Randle’s return to the floor is one of the biggest storylines for the Knicks this year. How will he look? How will he fit in? Will it be a Bad Randle year (see: 2021-22) or will he look like an All-Star again, helping to recreate the January version of the Knicks that went 12-2 and ran over opponents?

But given his standing, Randle’s play may be slightly less crucial to this team’s success. The Knicks weren’t as good without Randle as they were with him, but they were still good — they won a playoff series and nearly two. The Knicks have the depth and talent to withstand another injury to Randle.

Still, Randle has the chance to elevate this team to another level with his scoring, passing, and size. If the Randle from last January shows up — the one who made quicker decisions, cut harder, ran faster, and defended more vigorously — the Knicks will be all the better for it. 

One of the biggest swings of this Knicks season is how much center Randle gets to play and how he fairs when he gets the chance.

4. Mitchell Robinson, C

Robinson could be the Knicks’ biggest X-factor this season. They are thin at center, and he is by far their best and most experienced big man. There isn’t anyone on the roster who can duplicate Robinson’s impact.

It’s easy to forget, amid all of Robinson’s injuries, how he began last season looking like an All-Defensive candidate. Robinson was swallowing up the paint, contesting shots, and dominating the glass. The Knicks need that Robinson. If he can add even an ounce of passing and ball-handling to his game — not totally out of the question, since Robinson has publicly bemoaned his limited offensive role— he could lessen the impact of Isaiah Hartenstein’s departure.

3. OG Anunoby, F

Anunoby is the key that unlocks a lot of what the Knicks want to do. He is their most versatile defender, truly capable of guarding 1-5. He can act as their power forward if Randle gets hurt. His length and strength are the keys to small-ball lineups with Randle at center. And offensively, he is a reliable three-point shooter who can also score baskets out of drives and pull-up midrange shots, as he showed in the playoffs.

The Knicks were 26-5 last season when Anunoby was on the court. The roster doesn’t have anyone else with his combination of size, defense, and shooting.

2. Mikal Bridges, G/F

Given how much the Knicks traded to get him, there is quietly a lot of pressure on Bridges this year.

Bridges might not be an All-Star, but he is a perfect blend of what the Knicks needed more of: more shooting, more shot-creation, more perimeter defense. Bridges should step in this season as the Knicks’ second-best perimeter creator and their best perimeter defender against dynamic guards (a role he’s slightly better suited for than Anunoby). That he can also space the floor and be effective without the ball on offense is what made him such a desirable trade target.

Bridges struggled last season as the No. 1 option in Brooklyn — something he has admitted. He gets to relinquish some of that burden this year and play as more of a No. 2 or 3 option, a role he should thrive in. If for some reason he struggles, the blowback will be mighty, and the Knicks will be less dynamic.

1. Jalen Brunson, G

It all comes down to Brunson. He is the lone elite player on this roster. He is not just the Knicks’ most dynamic scorer and ball-handler, he is arguably a top-10 offensive player in the entire NBA. He carried the team last year, and if not for that ascension into an MVP candidate, the Knicks wouldn’t be considered potential contenders this year.

The team is better suited this season to withstand a short-term injury to Brunson. If everyone else is healthy, the Knicks could squeak out a .500 month if Brunson was hurt.

But in the grand scheme, the Knicks aren’t going anywhere —this season, or in the future — if Brunson doesn’t play like a superstar.

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