Knicks Set Rotation Around Five Starters for 2026-27 Season

New York will enter the 2026-27 NBA season with an established starting five and several competing options off the bench, according to Sports Illustrated. The Knicks are expected to build their rotation around Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns while managing player workloads after an extended postseason run.

The team's approach will depend on its demanding opening schedule, player availability and the development of its reserves. Sports Illustrated's October 20 report projects that Landry Shamet and Miles McBride will remain important contributors, while younger players and deep reserves face less certain paths to consistent minutes.

Brunson, Hart, Bridges, Anunoby and Towns are expected to retain their starting roles, barring injuries. However, the report suggests that New York could reduce minutes for its leading players early in the season to help preserve their freshness following a postseason that extended through June 13.

Brunson averaged 35 minutes per game last season, but his workload could fall to approximately 32 or 33 minutes during the opening weeks. Bridges, Anunoby and Towns, who averaged between 31 and 33.2 minutes per game, could see their playing time move closer to 30 minutes.

The opening schedule could complicate those plans. New York's first six games include two matchups against the Philadelphia 76ers, along with games against the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons. According to Sports Illustrated, that stretch could require the starters to maintain their usual playing time despite the team's interest in easing them into the season.

Shamet and McBride are projected to anchor the second unit and regularly contribute during closing stretches. Sports Illustrated cited analysis from The Athletic's James L. Edwards suggesting that Shamet could play more minutes than McBride this season.

Shamet averaged 23 minutes per game last season, while McBride averaged 26.3. Both could receive increased opportunities early in the campaign, particularly given Shamet's strong preseason performance. McBride also remains important to the rotation despite an inconsistent preseason, apart from its final game.

Jose Alvarado, Mohamed Diawara and Andre Drummond are expected to provide additional depth. Alvarado averaged 16.9 minutes per game as a Knick last season and could see his workload increase during his first full season with New York.

Drummond averaged approximately 20 minutes per game last season, a workload comparable to Mitchell Robinson's. Diawara's role is less certain because of his limited experience and underwhelming Summer League and preseason performances, potentially creating additional opportunities for Jordan Clarkson early in the season.

Clarkson's playing time could fluctuate depending on Diawara's development. Tyler Kolek and James Wiseman are also projected to occupy the fringes of the rotation, with injuries, foul trouble and individual performance offering potential opportunities for additional minutes.

Kolek faces competition from Brunson and Alvarado at point guard. Sports Illustrated projects that he could receive occasional playing time if Alvarado struggles over an extended stretch or sustains an injury, as happened with sporadic opportunities last season.

Wiseman's opportunities could depend on Towns' foul trouble and Drummond's availability. The report estimates that both Wiseman and Kolek could accumulate between 500 and 700 minutes over the season despite inconsistent roles.

Pacome Dadiet faces a more difficult route into the rotation because several players are ahead of him at his position. According to Sports Illustrated, his opportunities could largely come during blowouts or occasional appearances intended to showcase his value, rather than through a regular place in Mike Brown's rotation.