Knicks’ Guerschon Yabusele, Jordan Clarkson finding footing in Mike Brown’s new offense

Knicks forward Guerschon Yabusele says he’s not disappointed by his recent drop in playing time.

“No, no, it’s been pretty good. Lots of effort here,” he told the Daily News before Monday’s game against the Washington Wizards. “We have great guys playing together, trying to get a win and create something with the team. We have a great, close-knit team. Some guys know each other, so I’m just trying to come here and learn and adapt perfectly so I can try to help the team.”

The Knicks used their mid-level exception to sign Yabusele to a two-year contract, making him the biggest addition of an otherwise quiet offseason. But before Monday’s game against the Washington Wizards, the French forward had been phased out of head coach Mike Brown’s rotation.

After playing 12, 13 and 16 minutes in the first three regular season games – and between 10 and 23 minutes in the five preseason games – Yabusele missed the Oct. 28 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks with a knee injury. Since then, he has only totaled five combined minutes in two games against the Chicago Bulls.

Brown said Yabusele’s minutes could vary depending on matchups and the flow of the game.

“He might play several minutes sometimes, he might play a few minutes. He might not play at all,” Brown said after Friday’s loss at Chicago. “And that’s part of what our guys have to accept until we can figure out what we’re going to do.”

Brown also noted that the Knicks struggled to defend the rim in the limited periods Yabusele played against Chicago’s fast-paced offense.

“I’m still finding my way and we were down, and they were doing a great job touching the paint,” Brown said. “So I’m trying to find guys that can — and not that he can’t — but change and possibly stay in front of the ball, especially in the way they were going down and out.”

The Knicks coach said Yabusele faces one of the steepest learning curves in New York’s new system. Brown’s offense requires the four to work interchangeably with the ones through threes, while also switching between frontcourt spots depending on lineup construction.

Yabusele believes his international experience gives him an advantage to adapt quickly.

“It’s been amazing so far to be able to learn the four, the three, the five, differently in different countries, so my understanding when I’m in the game is completely different to how it goes off because in most situations I feel like I’ve seen it,” he told The News. “I’m kind of [need to] make fewer mistakes and be efficient when I’m out there.

But it didn’t come quickly or easily for the backup big who had to fill a similar position that Precious Achiuwa played as a versatile on-court player for the Knicks last season. Brown said he envisions his rotation spanning “nine and a half to 10” players, and at first, Yabusele appears to be the odd man out.

For now, the backup forward says he’s using his time outside of the rotation to observe, learn and lead where he can.

“Just out there, I try to be aware when I’m on the court — or even if I’m on the bench — what the team is doing and try to find a way to have a positive impact on the game and the team,” Yabusele said.

Backup goaltender Jordan Clarkson is in a similar position – although he has adjusted a little quicker than Yabusele.

Clarkson also joined the Knicks this summer, signing after receiving a contract buyout from the Utah Jazz. The former Sixth Man of the Year strung together several low-scoring outings to open the season before scoring 15 points in Sunday’s win over the Bulls.

“I think I’m just trying to figure everything out honestly, and it takes time, but I really wanted to help from day one and get things done,” he told The News. “But it’s part of the process and we’re still trying to figure it out.”

Clarkson, who led the NBA in bench scoring over the past five seasons, is now being asked to do more with less. Brown’s system requires him to balance snap offense with playmaking and defensive responsibility — all while supporting Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges in the backcourt.

“It’s a little adjustment. I wouldn’t say it isn’t,” Clarkson said. “But like I said, I’m just trying to understand everyone, this team, as well as the guys trying to understand me. This is my 12th year in the league. A lot of guys have some reputation or whatever about me. I think they know what I can do, so I’m just trying to get comfortable.”

In his first handful of games in New York, Clarkson is averaging 8.2 points per game while shooting 35 percent from three-point range. He averaged between 16 and 20 points per game over his previous five seasons in Utah.