CHICAGO — The expected upgrade to the bench hasn’t quite panned out.

Rookies Jordan Clarkson and Gershon Yabusele, signed by the Knicks to bolster a lacking depth from last season, are finding it tough to hit their stride and gain the trust of coach Mike Brown.

In a recent 135-125 setback against the Bulls, Yabusele saw only three minutes of play and spent the entire second half on the sidelines. This is particularly concerning given that the Knicks invested much of their salary cap to bring him in as their sole seasoned backup up front.

After dealing with a knee sprain, Yabusele is averaging merely two points on 23 percent shooting in about 11 minutes of action per game.

Brown explained his decision to bench Yabusele by noting he was looking for a player who could better handle switching on screens defensively.

“His minutes will vary. At times he might see a lot, or just a little, or none at all,” Brown said. “Our guys have to accept that until we figure out how to approach things.”

On the other hand, Clarkson has been quickly replaced in the lineup by Landry Shamet, limiting his court time. Reports suggest that Brown is quite fond of Shamet, having advocated for his retention even when he entered training camp on a non-guaranteed deal.

Meanwhile, Clarkson, who once held the Sixth Man of the Year title, finds himself averaging only 14.8 minutes and 6.8 points with a shooting percentage of 29.

These numbers would mark personal lows for him.

“I think it’s a completely new learning process for me,” Clarkson shared. “With a new coach, new system, and new teammates, I’m just trying to take in as much as I can.”

But it’s not just the newcomers causing issues. Veteran Josh Hart has struggled to find his rhythm post-surgery on a finger, averaging just 2.8 points on 21 percent shooting across 22.3 minutes.

This doesn’t bode well for his defense either. Tyler Kolek’s playing time has diminished since the beginning, seeing only four minutes against Chicago, and he remained inactive for the second half.

The Knicks’ bench is currently enduring a rough patch, losing their last three games decisively, including a 131-60 blowout.

They seem to be in a worse situation than last season. If the Knicks want to thrive, they definitely need a stronger bench.

“We need to give it some time, but improvements are crucial,” Brown emphasized. “Whether it’s knocking down shots, finishing at the rim, or securing easy baskets in transition, we’re just not delivering right now.”