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Knicks: Five Possible Rotations For The 2016-2017 NBA Season

By Joel Zegarra

Feb 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) against the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) against the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 19, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Brandon Jennings (55) dribbles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Dallas Mavericks 110-104. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Brandon Jennings (55) dribbles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Dallas Mavericks 110-104. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandon Jennings – Point Guard

Justin Holiday/Sasha Vujacic – Shooting Guard

Mindaugas Kuzminskas – Small Forward

Lance Thomas – Power Forward

Willy Hernangomez/Marshall Plumlee – Center

This would be the featured lineup for the start of the second quarter. With possible contributions from Sasha Vujacic as the shooting guard and Marshall Plumlee as the center, we’ll assume Justin Holiday and Willy Hernangomez will be the first guys off the bench.

At some point last season, many thought the addition of Brandon Jennings in exchange for Jose Calderon would make us a playoff team. Unfortunately, after being traded to the Orlando Magic, Jennings didn’t have the season everyone expected him to have.

However, the bench is usually a combined effort from all players to contribute points where no one player stands out. Unless you’re the sixth man, in which case you better deliver.

In that case, let’s see what this roster can do to help Jennings develop into the Sixth Man of the Year.

Holiday hasn’t seen steady minutes as either a starter or a bench player. This will be an opportunity for him to show his versatile skills for a guard with a 7’0” wingspan. You can expect him to be an effective defensive guard and knock down open jumpers provided by Jennings.

Kuzminskas is a better shooter than Derrick Williams and perhaps with his size you can expect him to be an even better defender. If that’s the case, it’s an improvement at the small forward position from last year’s roster coming off the bench.

Hernangomez and Plumlee will be fighting for minutes at the center spot. We can even go as far as saying that Maurice Ndour will also see minutes at the center position because of Ndour’s ability to be a great defender.

While we don’t know what to expect from these players, we know that they’re on a journey to prove themselves as capable big men who belong in the NBA. That’s the type of attitude you want.

Let’s not forget Lance Thomas. If he continues to be effective with his jumper and Kuzminskas provides to be a decent shooter, than Jennings will see a great deal of assists in his stats.

All together you have a great group of guys who, under Hornacek’s fast pace offense, may thrive as one of the East’s top bench.

Next: Third Quarter Lineup

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