The New York Knicks seem to know they are short at center and will look to address that this season.
With Isaiah Hartenstein gone, the Knicks appear overly reliant on Mitchell Robinson, who, while talented and efficient, is prone to injury. If Robinson were to miss a significant chunk of playing time due to injury, Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims would find themselves in larger roles they may not be ready to handle, at least on a team that dreams of contending for a title.
The Knicks will likely look to add a center via trade this offseason. They have already been linked to several centers in trade rumors.
Below we have listed seven centers that could be candidates for exchange.
With the CBA’s new salary cap “aprons,” trades — whether real or fictional — are harder to pull off. The Knicks currently can’t cash in more money than they send out in a trade. For this exercise, we assumed the Knicks’ top seven players — Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo — are untouchable.
That leaves Precious Achiuwa ($6 million), Miles McBride ($4.7 million), Keita Bates-Diop ($2.6 million), Jericho Sims ($2 million) and Cam Payne ($2 million) as the highest salary caps the Knicks can use to acquire a center. So the centers on our list are largely low-salary players.
We’d assume the Knicks could add assets or find third-party teams to facilitate these deals.
1. Robert Williams III, Portland Trail Blazers
A player we previously identified as a potential trade target, Williams is indeed on the Knicks’ radar, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
Williams, while smaller than some centers, is an elite blocker, solid rebounder and good passer for a big man. He made an All-Defensive team with the Boston Celtics in 2021-22.
The downside, beyond Williams’ $12.4 million salary, is that he’s also injury-prone, so pairing him with Robinson is risky: The Knicks would be relying on two often-injured centers.
2. Steven Adams, Houston Rockets
Adams would almost certainly fit the mold of a Tom Thibodeau center: a tough, mean paint protector, an excellent offensive rebounder and an all-around team player.
But Adams must first prove he is healthy. He played just 42 games in 2022-23 because of a knee injury and missed all of last season. Given Adams’ age (31) and rugged style, missing a season and a half doesn’t bode well.
However, if Adams can prove he’s healthy, he could be a moving piece for a Rockets team with Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith and Tari Eason as bigs.
3. Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors
There were rumors the Warriors would part ways with Looney this summer to give them more breathing room, but they ultimately brought back the 28-year-old veteran.
Looney has an understated game, but one that seems to fit the Knicks. He’s tough, a good defender, a good passer and a winner. He’s been with the Warriors for all nine years of his career, a sign of the faith Steve Kerr has in him.
However, as the Warriors enter a new chapter, it’s possible Looney could be on the trade list.
If so, he would be an asset to the Knicks locker room as an experienced backup center.
4. Dwight Powell, Dallas Mavericks
Powell, another longtime center, has been gradually falling out of the Mavs’ rotation as they retool their roster.
A dynamic leaper and rim runner, Powell may have lost half a step but can still produce when given time.
Like Looney, he’s a winning player who’s played in big games and is often lauded for his leadership. He’d be a solid addition to the Knicks’ bench.
5. Goga Bitazde, Orlando Magic
The Knicks were reportedly interested in Bitazde before free agency, but Bitazde ultimately re-signed with the Magic on a three-year, $25 million contract.
This deal seems to indicate that the Magic aren’t interested in trading Bitazde, but they also re-signed Mo Wagner and retained Wendell Carter Jr. They also have Jonathan Isaac, who can play center. With a plethora of big men, it’s possible the Magic are willing to part ways with Bitazde.
The Georgia slugger could be a good fit for the Knicks. He’s a good blocker who also has a slightly more developed offensive package than Robinson.
6. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Fred Katz of The Athletic speculated that Duren could be available in trades. The Knicks actually traded Duren’s 2022 draft rights, but moved him in draft-day deals that created room under the salary cap to sign Jalen Brunson that summer.
Duren is a terrific athlete with two-way potential, but at just 20 years old he is still very raw.
If Detroit decides to move on, Duren seems like a player who could benefit from learning in the Knicks’ system. Thibodeau seems to have a good eye for simplifying the game for big players, and Duren could learn from Robinson, who, like Duren, entered the NBA as a raw, athletic big.
7. Nick Richards, Charlotte Hornets
The Knicks have also reportedly expressed interest in Richards, although rumors have not gone beyond that interest.
Richards is a big-time basket-runner who doesn’t do much other than dunk. He’s a solid rebounder and blocker, though he needs to improve as an overall defender. He’d add a nice dose of size to the Knicks’ center rotation.
Richards may still have room to improve his game, but at the very least he’d be a solid backup center who could thrive on the Knicks’ second unit.
Richards could be this year’s Daniel Gafford: a solid big man who joins a winning team and flourishes.
