The projected starting five is currently: Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson. With the option to swap centers, that leaves the bench five as Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley, Alec Burks, Obi Toppin and Nerlens Noel.

Thibodeau slated all five to come off the bench had injuries not interfered, and most ended up reserves anyway. Rose, Quickley, Burks and Toppin spent many of their minutes together, though Noel started most of the season.

While returning the same bench may not appear like an upgrade, it has a chance to be one of the league’s best.

First, continuity is a feature, not a bug. As rarely as starting fives retain their build, benches may change even more. Returning this group and their already-developed chemistry, including at the postseason level, is a huge edge.

Of New York’s top three played lineups against the Atlanta Hawks last Playoffs, the single unit that outscored their opponent was the above lineup with Taj Gibson at center. It was tied for second in minutes with this year’s projected reserves.

This highlights a legitimate boost: hopefully getting to play Noel over Gibson, though injuries and other factors are always in play. Robinson appears healthy and better than ever, but has yet to escape the injury bug in the NBA.

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