SNY’s Ian Begley will be responding to Knicks questions from readers. Here’s the latest…
The only new information I have here is that, as of late last month, the Knicks were at the very least exploring the market for a veteran center.
Earlier in the offseason, the Knicks had some interest in signing Bruno Fernando. Fernando signed a nonguaranteed deal with the Raptors in early August.
As noted last month, the Knicks also made an offer to Omer Yurtseven earlier in free agency. Yurtseven didn’t give the offer strong consideration and last week agreed to terms with European club Panathinaikos.
With Isaiah Hartenstein in Oklahoma City, center is still the biggest position of need for the Knicks. They are roughly $7 million below the second apron — due to salary cap rules, the Knicks’ team salary can’t exceed the second apron. They still have a tax payer midlevel exception to use in free agency. But I don’t see any available free agents who would command $5 million per year.
@Coach_Schmitt1 asked about the possibility of upgrading the backup spot via trade. Trade rules for teams above the first apron are prohibitive, but I think the Knicks will continue to explore every option until they find a backup or it becomes clear that they don’t need one because the current centers are thriving.
Maybe Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Sims, Precious Achiuwa, and rookie Ariel Hukporti will give the Knicks what they need over the course of the season. But there are reasons to be skeptical. Robinson is making his way back from offseason foot surgery and has been hampered by injury issues at different points in his career. Sims, 25, doesn’t have much experience as a starting center. Achiuwa can play the position but is a more natural fit at power forward. Hukporti is a rookie. Sure, the Knicks can play Julius Randle at center in the second unit. But does that give them enough depth at the position? That remains an open question as we get closer to training camp.
They could keep the spot open during training camp and give it to a player who impresses in camp/preseason. They currently have 14 players on traditional NBA contracts and three players on two-way deals. NBA teams can carry a maximum of 15 players on NBA contracts and three players on two-way deals during the regular season. (In training camp, they can carry a maximum of 20 players). So the Knicks can see who excels in training camp and give the 15th spot to a player currently on a camp deal.
Worth noting here: people familiar with the matter said late last month that it was unlikely that the Knicks would use their 15th spot to sign backup guard Ryan Arcidiacono. Arcidiacono had spent parts of the past two seasons with the Knicks. Tom Thibodeau continuously praised Arcidiacono’s professionalism and the way he impacted the team despite limited minutes. But people familiar with the matter felt that it was unlikely Arcidiacono would be back under the current Knicks roster. Things can change if the Knicks make a trade. But if they planned to sign Arcidiacono — a close friend of Jalen Brunson’s — to the 15th roster spot, they probably would have done so already.
If the Knicks go into the season with this roster, it’s reasonable to expect Randle to play some center. Thibodeau didn’t play Randle big minutes at center while Obi Toppin was on the roster. But he may not have much of a choice with the current roster. At the very least, we should see Randle at center during the preseason under the current roster configuration.
@AnytimeKnicks asked this and wondered about OG Anunoby at center. Thibodeau mentioned the possibility of Anunoby at center last season when the Knicks were shorthanded. So he’s open to the idea.
No injury protections in that deal. It’s all fully guaranteed.
Don’t think I said that. If you read it, it wasn’t from me.
I’m going with 49-33, third seed in the Eastern Conference.
Thanks for the questions, everyone! I will be answering more over the next couple of weeks.
