New York Knicks: 3 Rotation changes to make after the All-Star break

Kemba benched again, Grimes with a green light

RJ Barrett missed the team’s past four contests due to an ankle sprain he suffered at the end of a blowout loss in Denver. Thankfully the injury wasn’t too serious, and he should be able to return on Friday.

However, Thibodeau will need to make a decision for the starting lineup. Rookie 1st round pick Quentin Grimes started in place of Barrett, and he performed exceptionally.

In those four games, Grimes averaged 13.3 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 47% from three on 7.5 attempts per game. He also provided active perimeter defense, something the Knicks have lacked all season.

Instead of Grimes, Thibodeau should bench Kemba Walker when Barrett returns. The 31-year old point guard has underperformed mightily in his first season with the Knicks. His 11.6 points per game are a career-low, his 40.3% field goal percentage is his worst since 2014, and his defense has been absolutely abysmal.

While it would be risky to trot out a starting lineup without a traditional point guard, the resurgence of Julius Randle should keep the offense running.

Over the past 8 games, Randle is averaging 28.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per game on 45% shooting. Perhaps most importantly, he’s averaging 6.6 assists over the same timeframe and is looking a lot more like the point-forward he was last year.

A lineup led by Randle with Barrett, Grimes, and Evan Fournier providing shooting and secondary playmaking should operate much more fluidly on both ends of the court compared to the previous one.