In the current NBA landscape, defending a championship title is even more challenging than winning it. The Knicks’ management has largely succeeded in retaining last season’s successful roster, but with age, injuries, and financial constraints becoming factors, fresh talent will need to rise up in the upcoming season.
Here are three Knicks players most likely to see an expanded role as New York aims to achieve the first championship repeat in recent NBA memory.
OG Anunoby
As the key figure on this list, Anunoby is expected to take on significantly more responsibility after his impressive development during the title run. He averaged 16.7 points per game during the regular season with moderate efficiency, but elevated his scoring to over 20 points per game in the playoffs, finishing second only to Jalen Brunson. Beyond increased scoring, Anunoby demonstrated exceptional shooting accuracy and confidence in isolation situations. Coach Mike Brown has indicated plans to involve him more in pick-and-roll plays and to utilize him more frequently as a small-ball center, a strategic adjustment needed due to the team’s scarcity at that position. With these changes, Anunoby is poised to build on his career-best postseason with an outstanding regular season.
Mohamed Diawara
Diawara, the 6-foot-9 sophomore, emerged as New York’s most promising young player during his rookie year, though he didn’t see rotation action in the playoffs. This should change markedly this season, as the Knicks enter without a veteran presence at his position and require more frontcourt support in a lineup dominated by guards. Given Diawara’s effectiveness last year and the team’s limited developmental prospects, the front office and coaching staff are expected to provide him substantial playing time from the start. While he’s predicted to have a notable impact during the regular season, the bigger question for 2026-27 is whether Diawara can prove dependable in high-pressure postseason moments. He has shown glimpses of strong defensive abilities against top players and clutch shooting, but he’ll need to elevate his game to make a real postseason impact.
Tyler Kolek
The Knicks often leaned on a secondary ball handler alongside Brunson in critical situations last year. In the memorable Game 4 comeback during the NBA Finals, that role was filled by Jose Alvarado, but prior to acquiring him, Kolek showcased similar clutch play against the same opponent in the NBA Cup Championship Game. With Jordan Clarkson transitioning to more of a wing position and Alvarado as the only other ball-handler, Kolek’s presence in key moments may become more frequent. After a solid regular season in 2025-26 and holding a team option for the 2027-28 season, this year will be crucial in determining whether Kolek remains part of the team’s future. Brown is also likely to continue experimenting and managing starters’ minutes to preserve their energy for another deep playoff run, potentially giving Kolek more opportunities even without injuries.
Fan Take
This news is exciting for basketball fans because it highlights the Knicks’ strategic blend of retaining veteran talent while developing younger players poised to make significant contributions. How these emerging stars perform under pressure could reshape the team’s championship trajectory and influence how NBA teams approach roster building in the era of tight salary caps and aging superstars.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
