Ignore the logic of typical positions for a moment and assume the Knicks abandon loyalty, tenure, etc. in favor of an elite position-less modern offense and defense. This means 3pt shooting, high motor motion on offense and defense, and long wingspans. In large part - matching salary-ish only this is what a construct could look like in a near ideal world.

Brunson/Hart for Giannis

KAT for Durant

Robinson for Herb Jones

A starting lineup in a positionless squad would look like:

Bridges
Jones
KD
OG
Giannis

Now clearly this is in theory and closer to a video game or Olympic team than reality but the theory (which can be enacted with other less HOF worthy players) is to put 3 high motor 3&Ds (one of which has an elite mid-range - Bridges) on the floor next to a low post originator (Giannis) and an elite closer (KD).

Bridges primarily brings the ball up and looks to find an easy bucket in transition or dumps the ball to Giannis. We kind of have this in Brunson and KAT except for their weaknesses on defense and a third 3&D.

[Giannis/KAT] initiates the offense with a 4-1 motion that ideally puts the starting center in foul trouble. Late clock belongs to [KD/Brunson] who is trusted to finish the possession but is also one of the elite passing wings and will have 36%+ 3pt shooting from everyone [except Giannis] Strong downhill cutters.

On defense you have [Jones] and Bridges hawking the ball with OG acting as a free safety. [KD] is a weakside help defender that is underrated and Giannis is charged with rim protection. A 7 foot wingspan at every position.

This team would be weak with [Giannis] on the floor from a FT-hack model but would be charged with creating foul imbalances to prevent the effectiveness of this. Injury concerns abound.

Now - take the magic trades above and throw them away, but this kind of vision is an ideal for a modern offense/defense. High motor 3&Ds that can essentially switch at every position. This can be accomplished with less than Giannis and KD (which we probably cannot afford absent an Adam Silver promise like Dallas got. Luka/Lebron vs KD/Giannis in the finals anyone?

A lot of talk for something that can’t really happen but this is more an example of a vision of a modern offense. It’s why I want to collect guys like Bridges and OG and then use them better.

This is pretty much what the OKC Thunder are doing and it makes sense both analytically and from the eye test. No team is perfect but this makes sense to me even if you use less superstars and more archetype players.