5 Knicks questions heading into training camp

Fresh off the franchise’s best season in a quarter century, the Knicks promptly opted to blow up the leadership by firing coach Tom Thibodeau, who’d brought them to the Eastern Conference Finals. But they kept the roster’s key pieces intact and added the sort of bench depth that Thibodeau never had, creating an opportunity for new coach Mike Brown to take them to another level.

The Knicks enter training camp with none of the injury woes that have befallen many of their competitors. Instead, the biggest challenge for Brown is to live up to the lofty expectations the Knicks carry into this season. But it’s not as simple as rolling out the ball. Even with a deep, talented and healthy roster, the Knicks enter the season with a number of questions Brown and the front office will have to answer on the court.

1. What can Brown do for you?

Thibodeau had his detractors. He was criticized for the minutes load of the Knicks' core pieces, and the lack of playing time for the bench, particularly the rookies, which made the group not very reliable last season.

So enter Brown, who has some similar accolades and criticisms in his multiple coaching stops. There is a push for some on-court changes, including talk of a faster-paced system which makes some sense as the Knicks were 26th in pace last season but is countered by the team ranking fifth in offensive rating. Use of the bench is certainly easier to justify with the improvement of the roster depth and with all of the players entering camp at full strength.

Any changes Brown makes still will revolve around utilizing Jalen Brunson as the centerpiece of the offense, which has been the most important factor in the franchise’s success of late. If speeding the pace or changing the system means taking the ball out of his hands, then Brown had better proceed with caution.

2. So what will the rotation be?

The question really begins with the starting lineup. The Knicks return all the rotation pieces but could tinker there. Josh Hart has flourished as a starter, providing a night-in and night-out energy boost, providing rebounding for his size, playmaking besides Brunson and defense for at least three positions. But he was changed out late in the postseason with Mitchell Robinson joining the starting lineup and pushing Karl-Anthony Towns to power forward.

The two big combo mimics what Minnesota did with Towns, adding Rudy Gobert to the lineup. But some of Towns’ advantage is his unusual skill set for a center. He's able to stretch the floor and provide playmaking. Robinson joining also ups the rebounding and rim protection but puts another non-shooter in the lineup.

3. Is the roster really set?

The Knicks grabbed a pair of useful rotation pieces quickly in free agency with Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele and then added three veterans on non-guaranteed deals — Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet and Garrison Mathews. They don’t have room under the cap for all three, or even two. At least not barring some sort of trade.

So do the Knicks have a major change in the works? While no league sources have indicated the Knicks have shopped them, there are a number of players who could move to open a spot. The risk: moving a promising young player for a little-used or needed veteran at the back end of the roster. The reward: having insurance for what could be a championship chase.

The easy answer could be to move out a player like Tyler Kolek, who has no path to playing time now with Brunson, Deuce McBride and Brogdon. Pacome Dadiet also will struggle to find an opportunity here but has potential to grow into a useful player as he matures. The most intriguing move could be if they opt to move McBride, who has immediate value to teams (including the Knicks), but his low-cost contract will force a decision down the road and the Knicks usually don’t wait on those.

4. What does the future hold for Mitchell Robinson?

Entering the final season of his contract, the Knicks did not extend his deal so unrestricted free agency looms unless the Knicks trade him or re-sign him. But his injury-plagued history makes an extension risky while at his best he can be a difference-maker with his offensive rebounding and rim protection. Starting him next to Towns could add to the price tag.

5. Is there an X-factor on this roster?

There are potential risers and risks. Mikal Bridges could benefit from the coaching change after struggling to adjust to his role in the regular season. Can the Knicks count on 74 games started from OG Anunoby again? Brogdon, if healthy and close to the form he exhibited just three years ago, could lead the second-unit offense while providing defense at the point.

By Steve Popper

steve.popper@newsday.com@StevePopper

Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.