The Knicks’ sixth man candidate will help transform the bench

The New York Knicks have experienced great success in recent seasons. And they expect even more this season. But one thing that was missing was a strong and consistent bench. That could change this season thanks to his arrival Jordan Clarkson. And the ClutchPoints’ 2025-26 NBA Preseason Media Poll supports this idea.

The annual, pre-season media poll revealed that more journalists believe Clarkson will win Sixth Man of the Year (30%) than any other player. And it wasn’t that close, like Clarkson received almost 50% more votes than runner-up (Naz Reid). However, the survey for 2024-25. it was incorrect for a number of awards, including MVP and 6MOI. But the rewards are incredibly difficult to predict. And the accolade speaks to the respect Clarkson’s skill set commands.

The arrival of Jordan Clarkson provides a scoring threat on the Knicks bench

New York desperately needed Clarkson’s skill set last season. They struggled to create offense among the team’s second unit, averaging the second-fewest points per game in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. In fact, Clarkson averaged more points per game last season than the Knicks’ entire bench managed in the postseason.

Until that point, Clarkson is a big scorer. He boasts an average score of 16 points before the game. And he did not have an average of less than 16.2 points per game from 2019-20. That’s something New York can use as well. And that’s partly why new coach Mike Brown is excited about his form.

“Jordan[Clarkson}thethingshecandoespeciallyoffensivelyHe’saveteranguyIknowhe’shungrytowinHecanscoreatallthreelevels”BrowntoldMSGNetworkoverthesummerthatbasketballtogeteasyshotsonyourteammates”

For what it’s worth, Clarkson isn’t the least bit concerned about his fitness either.

“I’ll be able to fit in anywhere,” Clarkson told the media. “Put me anywhere in the world and I’ll be good. I think that’s just me.”

Clarkson can be used in a number of ways

Clarkson’s confidence is understandable. He is a former winner of 6 MOI (2020-21). He won that award with the Utah Jazz, averaging 18.4 points in 26.4 minutes per game. And that doesn’t seem too much for his role this season.

Clarkson will join a rebuilt Knicks bench that will also feature Josh Hart, Myles McBride and Gershon Yabusele. The Reserve Corps now has enough offensive firepower. But since the unexpected retirement of Malcolm Brogdon, the team’s second unit has been without a true point guard.

So the 11-year veteran won’t just be a bench warmer after all. Clarkson – along with McBride and Tyler Kolek – will be relied upon to help fill that void. And despite his reputation as a reluctant passer, Clarkson averaged a career-high five assists per game in 2023-24 — the last full season Clarkson played. The University of Missouri alum was shut out last season after playing just 37 games with a plantar fasciitis injury in his left foot.

The Knicks enter the season with extremely high expectations; the 2025-26 ClutchPoints preseason poll also found that the Knicks are expected to win the Eastern Conference. Much of that supposed success is based on the team’s revamped bench. And much of the confidence in New York’s bullpen has to do with the arrival of Clarkson. So regardless of whether he hits 6MOI or not, big things are expected of the 6-foot-3 guard.