New York Knicks: Five reasons to keep current starting lineup together

2. Few applicable bench replacements

When David Fizdale changed the New York Knicks starting lineup, he inserted most of the players that led their bench squad and moved out those with questions at one end of the floor.

On the bench, it left Enes Kanter, Trey Burke, Mario Hezonja, Lance Thomas and Allonzo Trier. Outside of the latter undrafted rookie, it’s difficult to carve out who would return to the main five, for now.

Kanter stood out for his activity around the hoop, which he provided in the starting lineup last season and to open 2018-19. Defensive questions pushed him to the second unit, and that may keep him there, unless Mitchell Robinson struggles or goes to the G League.

Trier is the top bench player of the bunch and arguably worthy of a starting spot, but it’s difficult to see who he replaces as long as Frank Ntilikina, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Damyean Dotson produce.

Otherwise, Burke, Hezonja and Thomas are one-way players, two of whom already experimented in the starting lineup to a 1-4 record.

A down-the-road change is Emmanuel Mudiay, who Fizdale wants to provide an opportunity for. Will there ever be an opening at point guard, though?

Unless this starting lineup struggles mightily, and bench players perform over-the-top, few options remain for the Knicks to make a change.