Knicks Will Ease Starters Into Preseason and Put Bench Under the Microscope

Mike Brown plans limited early minutes for the championship starters as preseason play becomes the main way to sort reserves and frontcourt depth.

Overview

Coach Mike Brown said Thursday that he will 'ease' the title starting five into preseason work to protect their health after a short summer.
The move means more live minutes for reserves and camp invites, giving coaches game time to judge who can run the second unit and hold up without the starters.
Jalen Brunson, who spent much of the offseason in a cast after left‑wrist tendon surgery, said he 'feels good' and will be part of the tempered early workload plan.
Tony Bradley’s arrival adds to a competition with James Wiseman and Drew Eubanks for backup‑center minutes behind Karl‑Anthony Towns, and no reserve has a guaranteed rotation spot.
The preseason opens Oct. 5, ends with a dress rehearsal at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 15, and leads into ring night on Oct. 20, with the games set to determine rotation roles and reveal which frontcourt pairings can carry scoring when Towns or Brunson sit.