New York Knicks Continue Strategic Roster Search to Bolster Depth in Bottom Third Ahead of Crucial 2025-26 NBA Season Push
The New York Knicks are still searching for depth for their bottom third of the roster going into next season, a task that may not make major headlines but could have significant consequences when the games start to count. While marquee trades, blockbuster signings, and star acquisitions dominate the NBA offseason narrative, the smartest front offices know that championships are often shaped just as much by the eighth, ninth, and tenth men in a rotation as they are by All-Stars. That’s the mindset the Knicks are operating under as they look to finalize their roster for the 2025–26 campaign.
Having built a competitive core over the last few seasons, New York now faces the challenging task of optimizing the back end of their bench—not merely filling spots with veterans on minimum deals, but carefully identifying players who can step in when called upon, support the culture, and contribute in high-stakes scenarios when injuries and fatigue inevitably test the rotation. In the high-pressure, injury-prone grind of an 82-game season and beyond, roster depth can determine whether a team is fighting for a playoff seed or chasing a championship.
As of now, the top of the Knicks’ rotation is relatively stable. Jalen Brunson has emerged as a legitimate star and leader, Julius Randle remains a potent offensive weapon, and supporting pieces like Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson provide toughness, defense, and experience. The emergence of Isaiah Hartenstein as a reliable center, along with the steady development of Miles McBride and Quentin Grimes, has further solidified the Knicks’ top seven or eight players. But beyond that, the picture becomes murkier.
The bottom third of the roster includes a mix of young players, journeymen, and developmental prospects. Some, like Jericho Sims, have shown flashes but remain unproven in extended minutes. Others, such as DaQuan Jeffries or the recently drafted second-round selections, have yet to carve out defined NBA roles. With several roster spots still flexible and a couple of non-guaranteed deals on the books, New York is exploring options across a wide range of player profiles—veterans who can fill a specific niche, younger players with upside, and international standouts who might be ready to contribute immediately.
The Knicks are reportedly monitoring several free agents still available on the market. While most of the high-profile names have already found homes, there remains a group of seasoned veterans who could provide valuable insurance in a competitive Eastern Conference. Players like Joe Ingles, Juan Toscano-Anderson, or even former Knicks like Alec Burks and Taj Gibson could all be realistic, low-risk additions. These are not players who would be expected to log 25 minutes per night, but ones who could provide spot minutes, mentorship, and positional flexibility.
In particular, the front office is believed to be looking for help on the wing and at the backup guard spot. With Immanuel Quickley gone and McBride still developing into a more consistent offensive threat, the Knicks could benefit from adding a veteran combo guard who can steady the offense when Brunson rests. Names like Ish Smith or Matthew Dellavedova, while not flashy, bring playoff experience and could thrive in short bursts. On the wing, the loss of some defensive length off the bench has sparked conversations about potential training camp invites for long wings with proven NBA defense, even if their offensive games are limited.
Additionally, there’s interest in bolstering shooting, particularly among the lower-usage players. The Knicks’ offense struggled with spacing in key playoff moments last season, and they are seeking inexpensive floor-spacers who can keep defenses honest. This is where players like Sam Merrill or Svi Mykhailiuk come into the picture—guys who may not offer much on the defensive end but can swing a game with three or four made triples in a single quarter.
But the front office isn’t just focused on free agents. The Knicks are also active in the trade market, albeit quietly, looking for teams that may be looking to offload end-of-bench players with team-friendly contracts or promising young talent stuck in crowded rotations. These types of deals—often minor swaps involving second-round picks or trade exceptions—can provide surprising value. It’s the type of move that helped the Knicks land DiVincenzo last year and Hart before that. Those additions proved pivotal in postseason success, even if they didn’t grab headlines initially.
Another route the Knicks are exploring is the international market. With several EuroLeague stars expressing interest in making the NBA jump, New York has quietly dispatched scouts and made inquiries about players who could bring a polished skill set and professional experience to the end of the bench. Players like Vasilije Micić or Darius Thompson have been mentioned as candidates to make the NBA leap, and while the bidding is competitive, the Knicks are trying to position themselves as an attractive destination for players seeking a defined role in a winning culture.
Internally, the development staff remains focused on maximizing the young players already on the roster. Jericho Sims, for example, has shown the athleticism and rebounding tenacity to be a viable third-string center. The coaching staff wants to see whether he can stretch his game with improved timing and touch around the rim. Similarly, rookie wing Tyler Kolek, drafted late in the second round, has impressed with his passing and basketball IQ in Summer League. Though not guaranteed a rotation spot, Kolek’s play has sparked optimism that he could be a steadying presence if injuries arise.
And then there’s the two-way contract slots. The Knicks, like most teams, use these to stash developmental prospects and test high-upside G-League performers. Recent signings indicate the team is prioritizing players with specific NBA-ready skills—whether it’s elite shooting, on-ball defense, or positional versatility. These players may never become full-time contributors, but in a season defined by attrition, even a two-way guard who can knock down corner threes and hold his own on defense can be the difference between stealing a game or letting it slip away.
What’s notable in this entire approach is the discipline and intention the Knicks front office is showing. Unlike in years past, they aren’t rushing to sign names just because they’re available. They aren’t chasing washed veterans or overpaying for names who no longer produce. Instead, they are working from a clear organizational philosophy: find players who match the team’s culture, who understand their roles, and who are ready to contribute when their number is called.
The Knicks are not building a top-heavy team that relies on three stars and a shallow bench. They’re building a machine—one where every player, from the top scorer to the twelfth man, understands their responsibility and brings effort every night. This bottom-third search is less about filling space and more about adding tools to the toolbox, weapons the coaching staff can deploy strategically as the season unfolds.
Of course, the margin for error is still thin. In a stacked Eastern Conference where one injury can shift playoff seeding, the quality of your ninth through twelfth men matters. The Knicks have seen it firsthand—remember the pivotal role DiVincenzo played in last year’s playoffs when injuries thinned the rotation. Or the way Hartenstein emerged from relative obscurity to become a vital cog. These success stories are not accidents; they’re the result of smart scouting, savvy roster management, and patient development.
The next Isaiah Hartenstein or Josh Hart may already be on someone else’s roster or playing overseas, and the Knicks are doing the legwork to find him. They’re not chasing stars for the sake of headlines. They’re chasing edges—small advantages that stack up over the course of a long season. And in that bottom third of the roster, those edges could prove decisive.
As the Knicks round out their roster ahead of the 2025–26 season, the spotlight will remain on the stars. Brunson’s MVP candidacy, Randle’s recovery, Anunoby’s two-way dominance—those will be the headlines. But in the quiet corners of the bench, in the non-guaranteed deals and training camp battles, the foundation for a deep playoff run is being laid. And if the Knicks get this part right, it may be the final step they need to take from playoff tough to championship-ready.
