The New York Knicks have spent much of the offseason looking for a third center. Their search is now focused on the remaining free-agent market, although a signing does not appear imminent.
New York has contacted several available centers in recent weeks, SNY’s Ian Begley reported. The Knicks have only 13 players on standard contracts and all three of their two-way slots remain open, leaving ample roster space but limited financial flexibility below the second apron.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond are the only established centers on the roster following Mitchell Robinson’s departure for Boston and Ariel Hukporti’s move to Philadelphia.
Drummond gives the Knicks an accomplished rebounder behind Towns. Relying on only two traditional centers across an 82-game season, however, would leave coach Mike Brown without much injury protection or frontcourt flexibility.
Nick Richards Remains a Logical Knicks Target
Getty Nick Richards (right) is the logical choice as a free agent target for the New York Knicks to replace Ariel Hukporti (left). But it remains to be seen if the former Chicago Bulls center is willing to accept a third-string role for the veteran minimum.
Begley did not identify the free agents who have spoken with New York. Nick Richards, however, has repeatedly been connected to the Knicks and remains one of the strongest available options.
The Knicks showed interest in Richards before Phoenix traded him to Chicago last season. He resurfaced as a potential New York target in free agency, according to multiple reports.
Richards averaged 9.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in 20 games after joining the Bulls. At 6-foot-11 and 245 pounds, he can finish as a pick-and-roll target, protect the paint and rebound without requiring regular touches.
Kevon Looney was also linked to the Knicks earlier in the offseason, but he is no longer available. The three-time champion signed a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in July. Jonas Valančiūnas was also on their radar before the veteran center decided to play in Lithuania.
The remaining center market includes Xavier Tillman, Drew Eubanks and Tony Bradley.
Tillman offers switchable defense and championship experience from his time in Boston. Eubanks is a conventional screen-and-roll center who averaged 5.2 points and 3.0 rebounds for Sacramento before undergoing season-ending thumb surgery. Bradley has built an eight-year career around rebounding, interior defense and efficient finishing.
None would require a large role. The Knicks need someone capable of handling spot starts, absorbing regular-season minutes and protecting them against an injury to Towns or Drummond.
Tyler Nickel Decision Complicates Big Man Search
New York first attempted to fill the opening by signing restricted free agent Moussa Cisse to a two-year, $4.7 million offer sheet. Dallas matched it after Cisse averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks as a rookie.
The Knicks also pursued trades for multiple centers before shifting their attention toward free agents, Begley reported.
Their decision on unsigned second-round pick Tyler Nickel further complicates the roster math. New York could sign Nickel through the second-round exception, but doing so would leave insufficient room below the second apron to add a veteran center on a minimum contract.
A two-way deal for Nickel would preserve that flexibility.
The Knicks can add as many as eight players on training-camp contracts. Begley expects them to invite multiple veteran centers to compete if they cannot complete a trade or sign someone unexpectedly waived during a roster crunch.
Their patience suggests the Knicks have not found a must-sign option. They are keeping the position open and waiting for a better opportunity.
The third-center search continues, but its eventual answer may not arrive until training camp.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post New York Knicks Get Major Update on Search for Third Center appeared first on HEAVY.