The Knicks bolstered their depth this off-season with Guerschon Yabusele, Jordan Clarkson and Malcolm Brogdon, setting a clear window to challenge in the East. Yet Mario Chalmers challenges that outlook, saying New York still lacks a dominant big who can anchor both ends and change the ceiling. Karl-Anthony Towns has grown into a more well-rounded defender for the Knicks, but the gap at the rim remains a talking point. Indiana, Boston and others shuffled, but the Cavaliers and Knicks are positioned as frontrunners in a crowded conference as a new era under a fresh Knicks identity begins shaping itself with Mike Brown at the helm.

Landry Shamet returns to New York on a minimum-salary pact, slotting in as a seasoned 3-and-D wing for a Knicks squad aiming for a title. The deal completes a lean, versatile rotation built to maximize two-way depth with the starting core of Brunson and Towns anchoring the attack.

Around that core, Bridges, Anunoby and Hart form a formidable wing trio, while Robinson provides rim protection and McBride, Clarkson, Yabusele and Hukporti round out the second unit with shooting, defense and upside. The Knicks maintain roster flexibility to chase another veteran via trade if needed.

The move signals a deliberate, high-floor gambit: add playoff-tested shooting and defense without sacrificing a future roster path, keeping development options open for Dadiet, Kolek and Hukporti as growth pieces behind the depth chart.

Jordan Clarkson is heading to the New York Knicks after buying out with Utah. He picked NY for the Madison Square Garden energy and the fans, a move relayed by Rich Paul after a two-minute call with the Knicks that made him a Knick in moments. The change directly targets a critical Knicks weakness: bench scoring, which lagged at 21.7 PPG last season as starters carried the load.

Expect Clarkson to bring scoring punch off the pine and potentially alter crunch-time lineups. His fit alongside Brunson and Hart could unlock more balanced guard rotations, lifting Knicks’ bench output and giving fantasy managers a high-upside veteran scorer with fresh opportunity in a new system.

Jordan Clarkson’s No. 6 Lakers lineage unfolds as a brand-new, concise ballad: rookie year promise, a pivotal trade that sent him toward Cleveland, a Sixth Man of the Year stint with Utah, and an upcoming Knicks chapter. The arc highlights a scoring guard whose value hinges on role and minutes, making him a volatile but compelling fantasy asset.

The story situates Clarkson within a Lakers heritage that includes legendary names, while tracing how his career evolution—off-ball scoring bursts and occasional starting bursts—could translate to fantasy production with New York this season.