Knicks are ripe for a choice if the ‘lost’ Josh Hart ends up on the second unit

Josh Hart suggested Friday night that a return to the second unit could help him rediscover his do-it-all role, which he claims he currently has “no idea” what it is after starting four of the five preseason games the new Knicks.

If Hart were to return to the bench — and there has been no indication from Tom Thibodeau that such a move is being considered — the Knicks would have a number of options to replace him in an overhauled starting five that includes two new players in Karl. -Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, along with returning point guard Jalen Brunson and two-way forward OG Anunoby.

Thibodeau could opt for a bigger or smaller lineup by bringing in guard Deuce McBride or power forward Precious Achiuwa, both of whom flourished when they were hired last season.

Achiuwa averaged 12.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in 36.6 minutes per game over 18 starts for the Knicks last season, and putting him next to Towns could help the Knicks with rim protection after the departures of Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson’s injury.

Notably, the 6-foot-2 Achiuwa left Friday’s game at Washington in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a hamstring issue and did not return.

Jericho Sims would be the other option next to Towns in a bigger lineup.

McBride averaged 17.9 points and 4.1 assists while logging 43.5 minutes per game and shooting 40.7 percent from 3-point range in 14 starts for the Knicks in 2023-2024.

The starting McBride could take some of the defensive burden off Brunson in the backcourt, but such a move would mean Anunoby would man the forward spots with Towns in the middle.

McBride was rested after Friday’s loss at Washington, but he scored 17.3 points per game in three preseason games.

Regardless, whether Hart continues to start or comes off the bench, he needs to figure out how to get more involved after finishing the preseason with just six field goal attempts and two points in 22.5 minutes per game across four appearances.

The 82-game regular season begins Tuesday night in Boston — with the Celtics set to raise their 18th NBA championship banner — and Hart remains an integral part if the Knicks want to ascend to compete at that level.

‘I’m lost. I have no idea,” Hart admitted when asked about his role after Friday’s loss to the Wizards. “There’s still a few days… until Boston. So whether that’s trying to get a rhythm with that starting unit, or we look at someone else and my role changes and comes off the bench and goes with that unit.

“So I’m just trying to figure it out now. I have virtually no idea. But we’ll see what happens in Boston.”

Hart had made similar comments early last season about not being involved enough in the offense, but he enjoyed a strong second half amid the team’s many injuries, playing 42.2 minutes per game through 13 postseason starts .

Following the arrivals of Bridges — another former Villanova teammate of his and Brunson — in July and Towns just before training camp, Hart spoke about the importance of “sacrificing” personal numbers for team success.

But Towns and Bridges are also still adjusting to their new teammates, and together they missed 36 of 42 attempts from three-point range in the preseason, including 0-for-15 in Friday’s loss.

“It’s not about me, and I’m fine with that. I think we all have to figure out a way that we can all be our best selves, whatever role or minutes that may be,” Hart said. “We’re still trying to get into the rhythm and figure out what works and what doesn’t.

“Now (the preseason is) over and we have to focus on the next few days to Boston. There will be shots, you will make or miss shots, but we generate good shots. We have good shooters, and you’re going to have games where it feels like everything is falling, and games where it isn’t.