Daily Knicks
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3 Possible closing lineups for the New York Knicks in 2023-24

By Zachary Bachar

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 08: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks congratulates teammate Jalen Brunson #11 during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on May 08, 2023 in Miami, Florida. The Heat won the game 109-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,  by downloading and or using this photograph,  User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 08: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks congratulates teammate Jalen Brunson #11 during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on May 08, 2023 in Miami, Florida. The Heat won the game 109-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,  by downloading and or using this photograph,  User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart
Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks. (Photo by Evan Yu/Getty Images) /

PG: Jalen Brunson

SG: Quentin Grimes

SF: Josh Hart

PF: Julius Randle

C: Mitchell Robinson

Based on his performance throughout last season and his expectation-shattering playoff run, New York should build their offense around Jalen Brunson as they wait for the next star to demand a trade.

Given that sentiment, this closing lineup would accentuate his strengths and hide his weaknesses more than almost any other.

Grimes and Hart are both terrific individual defenders, able to take on tougher assignments to ensure that Brunson won’t be hunted by opposing point guards. Robinson is also a top-ten shot-blocker, deterring any driving opponents if they were to beat the point guard off the dribble.

On the offensive end, the two wings don’t have as high a usage rate as Quickley and Barrett. In other words, this allows Brunson to have even more chances to operate as the team’s highest-scoring clutch performer.

Grimes’ ability to weave through screens and fire away threes helps keep defenses occupied despite not having the ball in his hands, while Hart’s quick decision-making as a passer results in easy buckets.

In fact, 11% of Hart’s passes turned into assists last season, the highest mark on the team.

As for Randle, he would similarly benefit from the intangibles that a Grimes/Hart wing duo offers. He wouldn’t need to overextend himself as both a facilitator and post-scorer, hopefully cutting down on his team-leading 2.8 turnovers per game last year.

This five-man group only spent 14 total minutes on the court, but the results were extremely promising despite the small sample size. They produced an astronomically high 45.7 net rating, completely annihilating opponents.

While this obviously wouldn’t have held up if they spent more time on the floor together, it’s still intriguing enough that Thibodeau should make it his go-to lineup at the end of close games.

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