The New York Knicks seem to know they are thin at center and will look to address it this season.
Following the free agency departure of Isaiah Hartenstein, the Knicks appear to be overly reliant on Mitchell Robinson, who, while talented and effective, is injury prone. If Robinson were to miss major time with an injury, Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims would be thrust into bigger roles than they may not be ready for, at least on a team with dreams of contending for a championship.
Thus, the Knicks will likely look to add a center via trade during the season. They have already been linked to several centers in trade rumors.
We've listed seven centers below who could be trade candidates.
With the CBA's new salary cap "aprons," trades — both fake and real — are harder to construct. The Knicks cannot currently take in more money than they send out in a trade. For this exercise, we assumed that 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 biggest trade-able salaries the Knicks can use to acquire a center. Thus, the centers on our list are largely lower-salary players.
We'll assume that the Knicks could add assets or find third teams to facilitate these deals.
1. Robert Williams III, Portland Trail Blazers
A player we had previously identified as a possible trade target, Williams is indeed on the Knicks' radar, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
Williams, though shorter than some centers, is an elite shot-blocker, a solid rebounder, and a 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 is also injury-prone. That makes him pairing him with Robinson a dicey proposition: the Knicks would be relying on two oft-injured centers.
2. Steven Adams, Houston Rockets
Adams would almost certainly fit the mold of a Tom Thibodeau center: a tough, mean paint protector, great offensive rebounder, and all-around team player.
But Adams must prove he is healthy first. He played just 42 games in 2022-23 with a knee injury and missed the entirety of last season. Given Adams' age (31) and rugged style, missing 1.5 seasons doesn't bode well.
However, if Adams can prove he is healthy, he could be a moveable piece for a Rockets team with Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith, and Tari Eason as bigs.
3. Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors
There were rumors that the Warriors would part with Looney this summer to give them more wiggle room, but they ultimately brought back the 28-year-old veteran.
Looney has an understated game, but one that would seemingly fit with the Knicks. He's tough, a good defender, good passer, and a winner. He's remained with the Warriors for all nine years of his career, a sign of the trust Steve Kerr has in him.
However, with the Warriors entering something of a new chapter, it's possible that Looney could be on the trade block.
If so, he'd be a boost to the Knicks locker room as a battle-tested backup center.
4. Dwight Powell, Dallas Mavericks
Another center who's been with one team for a long time, Powell has gradually fallen out of the Mavs' rotation as they've re-tooled their roster.
A dynamic leaper and rim-runner, Powell has perhaps lost half a step, but can still produce when given minutes.
Like Looney, he's a winning player who's been in big games and is often praised 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 ahead of free agency, but Bitazde ultimately re-signed with Magic on a three-year, $25 million deal.
That deal would seemingly indicate that the Magic aren't interested in trading Bitazde, but they also re-signed Mo Wagner and held onto Wendell Carter Jr. They also have Jonathan Isaac, who can play some small-ball center. With a glut of big men, it's possible the Magic could be willing to move on from Bitazde.
The Georgian bruiser could be a good fit with the Knicks. He's a good shot-blocker who also has a bit more of an offensive package than Robinson.
6. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
The Athletic's Fred Katz has speculated that Duren could be available in trades. The Knicks actually traded for Duren's draft rights in 2022, but moved him in the draft-day deals that created salary cap space to sign Jalen Brunson that summer.
Duren is a tremendous athlete with potential on both ends, but at just 20 years old, 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 touch at simplifying the game for big men, and Duren could learn from Robinson, who, like Duren, entered the NBA as a raw, athletic big man.
7. Nick Richards, Charlotte Hornets
The Knicks also reportedly have had interest in Richards, though rumors haven't gone further than that interest.
Richards is a rim-running big man who doesn't do much else besides dunk. He's a solid rebounder and shot-blocker, though he needs to improve as an overall defender. He'd bring a healthy dose of size to the Knicks' center rotation.
Perhaps Richards can still develop more to his game, but at the very least, he'd be a solid backup center who could feast with the Knicks' second unit.
Richards could be this year's Daniel Gafford: a solid big man who goes to a winning team and flourishes.