Miles “Deuce” McBride was a second-round draft pick in the 2021 NBA draft, one many people believed fell from his projected spot on the night. His scouting report contains the exact words Tom Thibodeau dreams of at night: scrappy lead guard, tremendous defender, fearless demeanor, hard worker, and fearless competitor. There was no single player better built to play in Thibodeau’s system than McBride.
In many ways, McBride’s growth has closely resembled that of the Knicks. After a sub-par 2021-22 rookie season, McBride’s role, value, and skills have grown, much like the Knicks have grown over these four years. Now, in 2025, with McBride playing some of the best basketball of his young career, playing a vital role as a backup point guard to Jalen Brunson, the team is finally a true contender.
McBride Mania at the Garden
Team Impact
The Knicks are 26-12 this season when McBride touches the court. That’s a 0.684-win percentage and a 56-win pace for the season. Even throughout his slumps, McBride makes the Knicks better simply by being on the court. With Deuce on the court, the Knicks offense scores at a staggering 120.2 points per 100 possessions, one of the best marks in the league. However, what makes him so valuable is his defense. For all of Brunson’s greatness, the team is far better defensively with McBride at PG than it is with Brunson, allowing opponents to score just 110 points per 100 possessions compared to Brunson’s 114.2. McBride has proven himself to be one of Tom Thibodeau’s go-to guys, and by simply being in the rotation, he gives the Knicks another player who can play heavy minutes.
When he sits, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart all average 37+ minutes a game, forcing them to pace themselves throughout the game. The Knicks’ lack of depth means that their wings do not rest, and need to be able to play at an elite level if the game gets close. There is a noticeable decline in others’ minutes when he plays because he can be the workhorse that never comes off.
Individual Impact
In terms of individual play, McBride is having one of the best seasons of his young career. Despite a slight dip in shooting percentages this season, he has made up for it by becoming a more willing passer who can help set his superstar teammates up for easy shots. He is averaging a career-high 2.5 assists. Additionally, McBride’s willingness to fight for boards is commendable, and especially necessary for a team that lost Isaiah Hartenstein to free agency, and Mitchell Robinson to injury, some of the best rebounders in the game.
McBride’s shooting splits are not great, and his monthly splits hurt the most. After a great start to the season, his numbers have cratered to 27.3% from three in January, and 41.3% from the field. However, a proven track record over the past year and a half means that his deep shot should come back strong, and the Knicks will be banking on him as they play one of the league’s hardest schedules over the next few months.
McBride’s Contract
He has arguably one of the best contracts in the league. In December 2023, McBride signed a three-year $13 million extension, with a declining cap hit as the deal progresses. Nearly 200 NBA players have more guaranteed money on their contracts than Deuce. On a team like the Knicks, built on massive contracts and superstars, they must find diamonds in the rough and accumulate cheap contracts for key role players. Leon Rose saw McBride’s potential early and made sure to sign him to a deal as early as possible.
The Last Word on Miles McBride
McBride has solidified his status as a key player for this iteration of the New York Knicks. His ability to score in bunches and his infectious energy give the team hope and reinvigorate them when they struggle. In the modern NBA, guys like McBride are not cheap. Decently efficient, scoring bench players cost a pretty penny in this league, and McBride knows that. Yet, much like Brunson, McBride believes in the vision of the New York Knicks and what they can achieve. Now it’s on him to step up when his name is called.
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