The New York Knicks have one of the most reliable starting fives in the NBA. Between Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks have ridden their starting five to a 12-8 record and fourth place in the Eastern Conference. So far this season, the starters have been incredibly durable, with only Towns missing a single game.
Still, there are 60 games left, and the sustained health of the Knicks’ starters is not a guarantee. The Knicks rank dead last in bench minutes, bench points, bench field goal attempts, and bench 3-point attempts. The average age of New York’s reserves is a young 24 years old, and adding a reliable, established veteran to come off the bench might give Tom Thibodeau some confidence in his second unit.
The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly having a fire sale and the Knicks could snag a veteran there, but the Toronto Raptors make more sense. The Knicks already have the best bench defense in the NBA, but the second unit is ranked 28th in offensive rating. Nic Claxton would be a solid addition, but in an effort to add offense, Kelly Olynyk makes more sense.
As the Raptors rebuild, Olynyk, who is 32 years old and in the final year of his deal, doesn’t fit with the timeline. By sending Mitchell Robinson and rookie Tyler Kolek to Toronto, the Knicks could land Olynyk, who averaged 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting an excellent 38.7% from deep last season.
Thibodeau has never been one to use his second unit with a degree of regularity, but by adding a 12-year veteran, he might suddenly find some confidence.
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