Knicks bench upgrade
The New York Knicks’ depth chart suddenly looks playoff‑ready — NYT/Athletic reporting says the revamped bench now gives Tom Thibodeau reliable scoring and defensive options off the pine for a deeper postseason push. (nytimes.com)
Jordan Clarkson signed with the Knicks on July 7, 2025 on a one‑year veteran‑minimum deal, the team announced. (nba.com ) Guerschon Yabusele agreed to a two‑year, $12 million contract with New York in early July 2025, sources reported. (espn.com ) New York’s bench averaged 21.7 points per game in 2024‑25, the league’s lowest reserve scoring mark that season. (statmuse.com ) This season the Knicks’ reserves are averaging roughly 31.6 points per game off the bench, an increase of about 9.9 points from a year ago. (statmuse.com ) Clarkson produced 16.2 points and 3.7 assists in 26.0 minutes last season and, per the Knicks’ release, ranks among the NBA leaders in career points scored off the bench (8,045 career points). (nba.com ) Yabusele averaged 11.0 points with 50.1 percent shooting and 38.0 percent from three for the 76ers in 2024‑25 before signing with New York. (nba.com ) Tom Thibodeau was fired on June 3, 2025 and the Knicks officially hired Mike Brown as head coach on July 7, 2025, moves that accompanied the front office’s push to expand rotation depth. (espn.com nba.com ) Practical evidence arrived March 11, 2026, when Clarkson scored a season‑high 27 points off the bench in New York’s 134‑117 win at Utah, a showing cited by local coverage as a bench spark. (nydailynews.com ) Clarkson’s one‑year veteran‑minimum deal (roughly $3.6 million) plus Yabusele’s two‑year, $12 million contract give the Knicks low‑cost scoring and spacing options designed to stagger starter minutes in a deeper postseason rotation. (hoopsrumors.com espn.com )
