Projecting who could be the Knicks' X-Factor in 2026

Last season, the New York Knicks reached the pinnacle of the NBA and won the NBA Championship. They did it in convincing fashion and dominated through much of their playoff run. This offseason, New York has prioritized keeping the same roster, but their only big loss was center Mitchell Robinson.  

The front office signed center Andre Drummond to replace Robinson’s production, but now they’re going to need someone else to step up and be a true X-factor for the team.  

The Knicks were a team that shot the ball very well in the postseason, as that is what led to big runs that helped them pull away. One player who contributed to that was Miles McBride.

McBride had a relatively quiet postseason, and his best moments came in spurts. The true highlight of the playoffs for him was Game 4 in the second round against the Philadelphia 76ers, where he scored 25 points and had a hot start shooting. 

McBride is a player who can shoot the ball and defend the perimeter very well. He’s someone who fits the identity of the New York Knicks, and after dealing with injuries in 2025-2026, he could be looking to have a big season. 

Last season, he averaged 12 points per game in 26.3 minutes per game. He will likely play a similar number of minutes per game next season, but if he’s healthy, he could see growth in production. 

What helps McBride next season is the level of continuity and confidence this Knicks team has. He has been a part of this team since 2021, and 2026 could be the year he takes a leap in production. 

This Knicks team is going into next season with a lot of momentum. Not only did they win the championship, but they’re also not projected to win the Eastern Conference again by many. 

To get back to that status, being able to shoot the ball the way they did in the postseason will be key to success in 2026. The Knicks coaching staff could be leaning on McBride to help them get back to that level of offense, and that confidence could propel him to have a big season.  

If Miles McBride does turn out to be that X-Factor for New York, it would make them tough to beat, considering their starting lineup is already one of the best in the league. Having a potential sixth man of the year candidate on the team could make them more complete.