Knicks ripe for choice if lost Josh Hart needs to find himself on second unit

Josh Hart suggested Friday night that a move back to the second unit could help him rediscover his do-it-all role, which he claims to presently have “no idea” what it is after starting four of the revamped Knicks’ five preseason games. If Hart were to shift back to the bench — and there has been no indication from Tom Thibodeau that such a move is under consideration — the Knicks would have a couple of options to replace him in an overhauled starting five that features two new players in Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, along with returning point guard Jalen Brunson and two-way forward OG Anunoby. Thibodeau could go with a bigger or smaller lineup configuration by inserting either guard Deuce McBride or power forward Precious Achiuwa, both of whom thrived when pressed into starting service last season. Achiuwa averaged 12.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in 36.6 minutes per games over 18 starts last season for the Knicks, and starting him alongside Towns could help the Knicks with rim protection after the departure of Isaiah Hartenstein and the injury to Mitchell Robinson. The 6-foot-8 Achiuwa notably departed Friday’s game in Washington in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a hamstring issue and did not return.Jericho Sims would be the other option alongside Towns in a bigger lineup. McBride averaged 17.9 points and 4.1 assists while logging 43.5 minutes per game and shooting 40.7 percent from 3-point range in 14 starts for the Knicks in 2023-24.

Starting McBride could take some of the defensive burden off of Brunson in the backcourt, but such a move would mean that Anunoby would man the forward spots with Towns in the middle. McBride was rested in Friday’s loss in Washington, but he posted 17.3 points per game in three preseason appearances. Regardless, whether Hart continues to start or comes off the bench, he has to figure out how to get himself more involved after finishing the preseason with only six field-goal attempts and two poi...