New York Knicks Starting Lineup: Locks, fringe, potential break-ins

New York Knicks Starting Lineup: Fringe

For the most part, the New York Knicks’ starting five is set. However, the center position is up for grabs. And with Tom Thibodeau as the coach, don’t bet against him giving Derrick Rose a start if Kemba Walker disappoints.

Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose has had a great resurgence in the NBA after falling victim to multiple knee injuries throughout his career. Since being traded from the Chicago Bulls, he’s bounced around multiple teams, not landing in one spot for too long. But one of the few consistencies is Thibodeau, who has coached Rose on the Bulls, the Minnesota Timberwolves and now the Knicks. Although Rose serves best in a sixth man role — hence finishing third in the award voting — Thibodeau favored the veteran guard for the final three games in the playoffs. If Walker doesn’t impress Thibodeau enough, it wouldn’t be surprising if he inserted Rose into the starting lineup later in the season.

Mitchell Robinson

At the start of last season, Mitchell Robinson was the starting center and looked as if he’d be a key piece to the Knicks ’ future. But after suffering injuries that granted Nerlens Noel time in the starting role, Robinson’s future isn’t certain anymore. The Knicks picked up his team option for the upcoming season, so barring a trade he will be in uniform. However, the front office re-signed Noel to a three-year deal, committing to the 27-year-old shot blocker. It’s still arguable that Robinson is a better player, but with unrestricted free agency on the horizon in 2022, the Knicks may look to shop Robinson and keep just Noel for a cheaper price. If the Knicks do keep the 23-year-old, he’ll continue to be the bouncy, rim-running and shot-blocking center, it just may not be as the starter anymore.

Nerlens Noel

Nerlens Noel was once a top prospect coming out of high school and college. But after declining a four-year, $70 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks in summer 2017, Noel’s career declined. However, after Robinson went down with an injury last season, Noel flourished and proved he’s a starting-caliber center that can anchor a top defense. And because of it, he earned himself a three-year deal with New York. Noel does a lot of what Robinson does — just less athletic. But clearly the Knicks value his abilities and view him as a core piece for at least for the next three seasons. Whether Thibodeau opts to insert the 27-year-old back into the starting five is to be determined. Robinson has the youth, advantage in athletic ability and arguably his skill set, but Noel was third in the league in blocks per game with 2.2 and anchored the defense for a majority of the season and into the playoffs.