The New York Knicks' bench looks like it could be a weapon next season.
After starting much of the second half of the season and playing huge minutes in the playoffs, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart both look likely to come off the bench next year. It'll give the second unit two impactful, would-be starters who can run rampant over opposing reserves.
The move could be considered something of a demotion for DiVincenzo. DiVincenzo began last season coming off the bench, but quickly took Quentin Grimes' starting spot and had a career year, averaging a career-high 15 points per game, finishing third in the NBA in three-pointers, and breaking the Knicks' franchise record for threes made in a season.
However, the move to the bench could also set him up to win Sixth Man of the Year.
Surprisingly, on BetMGM, DiVincenzo only ranks seventh in Sixth Man of the Year odds, trailing Hart.
Basketball-Reference currently projects DiVincenzo to average 17.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per-36 minutes in the 2024-25 season. Although DiVincenzo is unlikely to play 36 minutes a night, it's a sign of his anticipated productivity.
DiVincenzo is the type of microwave scorer who typically gets the most consideration for Sixth Man of the Year. Although he was starting last season, consider that after the All-Star break, DiVincenzo averaged 19 points per game while getting up 11 three-point attempts per game. He'll likely be asked to bring that "fire-away" mentality off the bench this season, especially to help prop up lineups that don't feature Jalen Brunson (which have historically struggled to score).
We've already written that DiVincenzo should be head coach Tom Thibodeau's first substitution of the game. Bringing DiVincenzo in the game early for Mikal Bridges (who figures to start at the 2) will allow the Knicks to play the foursome of Brunson, DiVincenzo, OG Anunoby, and Julius Randle, which rampaged opponents in 14 games last season. It also allows Bridges to run more with the second unit and be the lead offensive creator.
Bringing DiVincenzo's shooting and defense into the game early will allow him to make an immediate impact. And he also figures to close a lot of games, as his shooting and knack for clutch shots is vital to have on the court at the end of close contests.
If the Knicks win 50-plus games and DiVincenzo has another year shooting 40% from three, it's easy to see him becoming the Knicks' first Sixth Man of the Year winner since JR Smith in 2012-13.
