Knicks fans head into the new season with elevated expectations, powered by Mark Jones’s optimism and a plan to leverage a deeper, more versatile roster. Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele bolster the second unit, giving New York a credible scoring punch and multi-positional depth off the bench. Mike Brown’s anticipated tweaks could push the rotation further than in previous seasons, signaling a shift away from the Tom Thibodeau-era grind. Brunson remains the engine alongside Towns, with an eye toward sustained excellence as the deepest squad in the East.

Last season saw New York push to the Eastern Conference Finals and win 51 games, underscoring the franchise’s trajectory. The front office is betting that incremental bench contributions will translate to quieter nights for stars and more reliable production across four quarters. If Brown can extract efficient minutes from Clarkson and Yabusele while Towns and Brunson anchor the offense, the Knicks could solidify their status as East contenders and push deeper into playoff runs.