The Knicks spent September restocking a bench that helped win a title, cutting familiar names and signing new ones sight unseen. Whether Mike Brown's reserves are actually deeper than what left is the question camp didn't answer.
The Swap
Camp reshaped the bench fast. Ochai Agbaji, James Wiseman, Drew Eubanks and John Konchar all joined the roster on September 16, the same day Bruce Brown arrived from Denver. Liam Robbins left a day later, waived, according to hoopsrumors. Igor Milicic Jr., Jaden Akins, Mitchell Mascari, Paul Zilinskas and Toby Okani cycled off the roster and back on the same afternoon, and none of the five made the list that stands today.
The Case For
Wiseman gives Mike Brown size the departed camp names never did, at 25 years old with a real NBA track record. hoopsrumors reported the Heat, Magic and Raptors all wanted Konchar before New York landed him. Posting and Toasting's Russell Richardson wrote this week that Wiseman may already have an edge in the roster battle, a read that suggests camp sees genuine separation, not just a numbers crunch.
The Case Against
Brown's contract status still isn't settled after his move from Denver, so the newest name in that group could be gone before opening night. Diawara, a 21-year-old forward also fighting for minutes, is day-to-day with a finger and arm issue and not expected back until October 1. They're replacing bench pieces from a group that helped produce a plus-6.4 net rating last season, with zero games yet to prove the swap was worth it.
What Stayed
Andre Drummond and Jordan Clarkson return from last season's group without a transaction attached to either name, giving Brown two options who already know his system. That continuity makes the case for patience. The newcomers don't have to win a job by October, they only have to be better than what's already proven.
Verdict
Camp didn't downgrade to cut costs, it upgraded for size and traded certainty for upside. Richardson's read on Wiseman and the interest in Konchar from three other teams both point to a deeper bench on paper than the group that left. Call it a real swap in the Knicks' favor, but the file stays open until Mike Brown's rotation gets tested in games that count.
Did the Knicks upgrade their bench this offseason?
New York added James Wiseman, Drew Eubanks, John Konchar and Ochai Agbaji, then brought in Bruce Brown too, giving Mike Brown more size and length than last year's group, though none of it is tested yet.
Is Bruce Brown guaranteed a roster spot?
No. Brown arrived in a move from Denver and his contract status still isn't settled, one of several spots hoopsrumors said were still up for grabs in camp.
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