The Knicks’ supposedly improved bench still has to prove itself to Mike Brown

CHICAGO – A supposedly improved bank didn’t look like much.

Newcomers Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, whom the Knicks signed in the summer to create depth that was largely non-existent last season, have struggled to find a groove and earn Mike Brown’s trust.

Yabusele logged just three minutes in Friday night’s 135-125 loss to the Bulls and was on the bench for the entire second half. It was a troubling sign after the Knicks used most of their cap space to ink Yabusele as their only veteran backup on the front court.

He missed one game with a sprained knee and is averaging just two points on 23 percent shooting, playing just 11 minutes per game.

Brown said he benched Yabusele in Chicago because he was looking for defenders who could set screens.

“Sometimes he plays a bunch of minutes, maybe he plays a few, maybe he doesn’t play at all,” Brown said. “And that’s part of what our guys have to accept before we figure out what we want to do.”

Clarkson, meanwhile, is also working with limited playing time after being quickly supplanted in the rotation by Landry Shamet. According to sources, Brown is a big fan of Shamet and tried to keep him on the roster after the guard entered camp on a non-guaranteed deal.

But that also leaves Clarkson, a former Sixth Man of the Year winner, who is averaging just 14.8 minutes and 6.8 points on 29 percent shooting.

All of these stats would be career lows.

“I think it’s a whole new learning experience for me,” Clarkson told The Post. “New coach, new system, new team. I’m just trying to pick up everything I can.”

The bank has endured different problems than the newcomers.

Josh Hart has played as a shadow of his former self through five games, clearly struggling with his surgically repaired finger and averaging just 2.8 points on 21 percent shooting in 22.3 minutes.

His struggles have also translated into defense. Tyler Kolek’s playing time has decreased since the opener, with Brown trusting the Chicago point guard for just four minutes. He also sat on the bench for the entire second half.

During the current three-game losing streak, the Knicks’ reserves have been outscored, 131-60.

That’s even worse than last season. For any hope of success, the Knicks need a better bench.

“We’ve got to give it some time before I worry too much about it,” Brown said, “but our bench does have to play better. We’ve got to knock down those shots or we’ve got to finish at the rim when we get there or try to get out in transition to try to get some easy baskets from those guys coming off the bench. Right now we’re not doing any of that.”