Knicks Depth Shuffle: Roster Spots Up for Grabs in Preseason Battle

The Knicks signed three wings—Bruce Brown, John Konchar, and Ochai Agbaji—plus two centers, Drew Eubanks and James Wiseman, to non-guaranteed or training-camp deals, according to team announcements. The move mirrors last fall's preseason roster battle that saw Landry Shamet claim a back-end spot; this year's competition will determine which of these five depth pieces stick, and critically, how bench rotation minutes distribute once the regular season begins.

Konchar's presence in this group carries the most immediate relevance. The 28-year-old utility forward has spent his career grinding in reserve roles, averaging career splits of 5.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while maintaining elite-level effort metrics—he recorded a 59.2% true shooting mark last season, well above positional average. More than pure scoring, Konchar thrives in low-leverage situations where rim-running gravity and switchability matter: he's a credible weak-side rim protector (his block on Anthony Davis in prior seasons remains a highlight of positional versatility for a 6'7" wing) and moves well enough to chase guards on switches. Brown and Agbaji offer more scoring upside but less defensive scheme flexibility, while Eubanks and Wiseman present center-depth answers at different price points—Wiseman's upside vs. Eubanks' reliability.

From a betting mechanics standpoint, the outcome of this battle affects New York's bench assist and tempo profiles directly. If Konchar sticks as the third-string forward, expect lower PPP (points per possession) in bench-unit stretches; Knicks' backup lineups will lean heavier on distribution and spacing-over-volume offense. If Brown or Agbaji secure minutes instead, bench scoring potential rises, which can shift second-unit pace and could inflate opponent bench scoring when those units face slower, more grind-oriented rotations. Wiseman or Eubanks at center ripples further—Wiseman's rim-running and vertical spacing creates different spacing math than Eubanks' more traditional post-presence.

The real prop angle emerges in bench scoring derivatives over the first 10 games, before the rotation fully stabilizes. If the Knicks' starting five remains fixed and the reserve hierarchy clarifies within the first week of the season, sportsbooks will lock in bench-unit usage models by Game 5. Smart money positions now on whether Knicks opponent bench scoring stays elevated (if the roster spots go to scorers) or compresses (if grind-oriented, two-way players like Konchar eat those minutes). A training-camp tracker who identifies the frontrunner for the final roster spot can fade or lean into Knicks bench overs/unders before the market fully prices the rotation shape.