Malcolm Brogdon was brought to training camp by the Knicks with the thinking that the veteran could become the primary backup to All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson.

Now that Brogdon has abruptly retired less than one week before the start of the regular season, however, first-year coach Mike Brown will have to turn to in-house options such as combo guard Miles McBride or second-year player Tyler Kolek as Brunson’s understudy barring a trade or another free agent signing.

“We’re in good hands, great hands,” Brunson said after practice Thursday in Tarrytown. “[Kolek] has been getting better every day. Deuce has been getting better every day.

“Those guys, they come in and they work on their game nonstop. When you see that, you have the utmost confidence that when their number is called they’re going to be ready to go. So like I said, we’re in good hands.”

Brown leaned on the customary “next man up” mantra, but it remains to be seen how he will deploy the playing time behind Brunson, who has averaged 35.4 minutes per game in each of the past two seasons under since-fired Tom Thibodeau.

Last year’s primary backup at the point, Cam Payne, signed last week with the Pacers.

Miles McBride dribbles up court during the Knicks’ preseason loss to the Wizards on Oct. 13, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

The more experienced McBride figures to be the leading internal option for that role, but Brown also could give a chance to the little-used Kolek, who netted 20 points with six assists in 23 minutes in Monday’s preseason game against Washington.

“Whoever goes and grabs it. We feel like we have a deep roster, and a lot of guys will have an opportunity to grab whatever minutes might have been there or might not have been there,” Brown said. “It’s just a case of earning your stripes, and we’ll figure it out at the end of the day, whoever’s gonna get whatever minutes are available.”

Brown said he “took it at face value” when Brogdon informed him of his decision to walk away following a nine-year NBA career highlighted by winning the league’s Rookie of the Year award with Milwaukee in 2016-17 and Sixth Man of the Year honors with Boston in 2022-23.

“First of all, I just want to congratulate him on a fantastic career,” Brown said. “Not many people know this but when I was the head coach of the Nigerian national team, he was one of the first guys that I reached out to try to come play. … So I got a chance to know him a while ago.

Malcom Brogdon suddenly retired from basketball with less than a week before the Knicks season. NBAE via Getty Images

“Incredible human being. Obviously a great career. He’s got a bright future in front of him. Just a fantastic career for him. And I’m interested to see him in the second phase of his life.”

Brunson added that he found out about Brogdon’s retirement “the same way you guys did” when it was announced on social media in a statement to ESPN after Wednesday’s practice.

“It’s not an easy decision to make. For him to do that at this time, it’s kudos to him,” Brunson said. “For him, it was time to move on. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. Played against him in college, played against him in the pros. And he’s been a great professional from afar. Getting to know him for these past couple of weeks was a blessing and I just wish him all the best.”

Tyler Kolek celebrates after scoring during the Knicks’ preseason loss to the Wizards on Oct. 13, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

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Brogdon’s departure also likely solves the Knicks’ final roster decisions, meaning they won’t have to make a trade to clear salary-cap space under the second apron to keep either Landry Shamet or Garrison Mathews — who also are in camp on non-guaranteed deals — with the 15th standard spot ahead of the regular-season opener Wednesday night against Cleveland at the Garden.

“It’s been a tough camp. I think I’ve played okay, and could do things better. Some things I did well, but no clue [how it will go],” Mathews said. “It was a good competitive camp, a team I’m happy to be on and I like the culture here. It’s a competitive group. We’ll see what happens.”