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Hart to the bench is a no-brainer. Would rather see Mo or Mitch start, plus they would show more life at the jump. -- @bobtabaske

I’ve been asking people both around the Knicks and with other teams about the Knicks starting lineup, specifically about Josh Hart’s role in it. Based on those conversations and based on what I’ve seen since Hart has been in New York, my answer to the question above is: the Knicks are at their best with Hart in the starting lineup.

Here are some points made by people in the league whose eye/evaluation I trust:

BALL-HANDLING: If you take Hart out of the starting lineup, who is the secondary ball-handler in the starting lineup? Unless you put Jose Alvarado or Tyler Kolek in the starting lineup, you are taking the best secondary ball-handler out of the unit and replacing him with someone who is less adept at operating as a dribbler. Maybe you argue that Miles McBride can adequately replace Hart as a ball-handler while also improving the starting five.

SHOT DISTRIBUTION: Hart doesn’t need to score to impact the game. This is one of the reasons why he’s a good fit for the lineup. If you replace him with McBride or Landry Shamet, how many shot attempts will either player get? Are you hurting yourself by taking shots away from a player who gives you scoring off the bench? That’s the way I see it playing out.

SCREENING: Hart is the best screener in the starting lineup. That is an overlooked part of the game that is pivotal in today’s NBA. As noted above, he doesn’t need the ball to be effective. He doesn’t want the ball, so his play won’t be impacted by his own field-goal attempts. It’s obvious to say that the lineup works well when Hart is hitting his threes (he’s been hitting them at a high level this season). But even if Hart isn’t knocking down threes at a high level, the Knicks can take advantage of defenders playing off Hart by having him set screens when he’s not being guarded. Hart setting a screen in that scenario forces his defender to scramble and can give the Knicks distinct advantages in the half-court.

Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s why I believe Hart should remain in the lineup. As Mike Brown noted in a recent news conference, he did consider changing the lineup at some point later in the season. But he ultimately decided against it. I think it was the right call. If I end up being wrong, feel free to call me out on it.

Knicks in 7