How the Knicks playoff rotation is likely to shake out

The playoffs are exactly a month away, and it’s a good time to send a reminder that rotations will be tightened.We’re about to experience our first series under coach Mike Brown, but judging by his previous stint in Sacramento, a rotation of 8 ½ is the expectation.That’s pretty standard.

The Pacers successfully went deeper a year ago, and maybe the Knicks will try to incorporate more reserves because they have capable players and it worked for the 2025 NBA finalists.After all, the Pacers beat the Knicks, in part, because they had fresher legs.But for the sake of this article, let’s assume eight players averaging at least 10 minutes per contest.The rest will plug smaller holes.And let’s also assume the starting lineup — Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns — remains intact for the playoffs.

There are concerns now about the way the Knicks are slogging through first quarters, but the plan is to stick with that lineup until it gives Brown more reasons to make a change.With that, here’s a look at the bench candidates with their chances of holding a playoff rotation spot:We’ve seen what Robinson can do in a postseason series.He utterly dominated the Cavaliers in 2023.

Unfortunately, that was the last year Robinson was truly and fully healthy for the playoffs.Last season, he was around but not in great condition.

This year, the Knicks set a plan to maintain Robinson’s health — limiting his minutes, sitting him in back-to-backs — and he’s supposedly ready to peak by mid-April.Rotation status: A lock. Brown was a huge fan of Shamet even before they joined sides.The coach gave the guard a big opportunity, and Shamet rewarded that faith as the most reliable substitute since returning from a shoulder injury.

The coach won’t move away from Shamet in the playoffs.Rotation status: A lock.McBride is aiming for a return before the playoffs, but there are obviously a lot of question marks about a player who unde...