We Really Don’t Need Another Center (rotational proof)

[Jalen Bluntson]

IMO, Anunoby is effectively the backup 5. I picture him guarding the 5 in those minutes with Mitch off the floor, Randle stays at the 4, and you have Bridges and/or Hart as the lead point of attack defender.

I think you can definitely survive stretches with that configuration. Hell, I would’ve used it at times even if we retained IHart. But I wouldn’t want to be forced into it full time when Mitch gets injured or is in serious foul trouble. Still need a big body we can trust, whether Precious or someone else.

This is the key, IMO. OG can guard most 5's in this league, at least for 10-15 mins, and I'd hope it's not too stressful for him. I'd like to try and trade for Nick Richards or re-sign Precious for that extra body, and in case of injuries.

But I think a unit of Brunson/Mikal/OG/Randle with Donte or Hart in the extra spot, depending on the situation, should work.

The issue is Mitch. It's not about the 18-20 mpg he needs to sit. It's the 30-35 games a year he misses on avg. We need another center. Are we really talking about rolling the dice that he can not only play every game but, play at least 35mpg on top of it? While we run a wing player at the 5 as a backup?

We need another center.

[robillionaire]

Mitch isn’t reliable, Randle can’t play center maybe more than a few minutes to end a game or he’ll foul out in 10 mins. Sims isn’t an nba player, mathematical odds say the 58th pick won’t be an nba player. We are in dire need of help.

[JayTWill]

Perhaps someone can clarify, but I understand the hard cap constraint only applies to this season, so we might just have to live with a placeholder at backup center and address the position come next offseason. There’s a minutes imbalance with the new addition - we’re heavy at the wing but now light in the front court. Another move seems inevitable but we need to remove the constraints first.

Just cause they are not hardcapped next year doesn’t mean it will be easy to add players. Outside of using our draft picks (we have 1 2nd rounder) and signing vet min players there isn’t much we can do.

Which team's second round pick do the Knicks have?

[WargamesX]

Mitch isn’t reliable, Randle can’t play center maybe more than a few minutes to end a game or he’ll foul out in 10 mins. Sims isn’t an nba player, mathematical odds say the 58th pick won’t be an nba player. We are in dire need of help.

I am coming to accept the idea we grab Wiseman as our 3rd center and see if Thibs can develop him into something. Physically he has the tools needed. His BBIQ is backwards, but maybe he can be taught drop coverage.

Mitch/Sims/Wiseman is at least a physically strong center trio. Mitch is a legit starter. We just got to get the other two up to speed.

[j4remi]

IMO, Anunoby is effectively the backup 5. I picture him guarding the 5 in those minutes with Mitch off the floor, Randle stays at the 4, and you have Bridges and/or Hart as the lead point of attack defender.

I think you can definitely survive stretches with that configuration. Hell, I would’ve used it at times even if we retained IHart. But I wouldn’t want to be forced into it full time when Mitch gets injured or is in serious foul trouble. Still need a big body we can trust, whether Precious or someone else.

This is the key, IMO. OG can guard most 5's in this league, at least for 10-15 mins, and I'd hope it's not too stressful for him. I'd like to try and trade for Nick Richards or re-sign Precious for that extra body, and in case of injuries.

But I think a unit of Brunson/Mikal/OG/Randle with Donte or Hart in the extra spot, depending on the situation, should work.

The issue is Mitch. It's not about the 18-20 mpg he needs to sit. It's the 30-35 games a year he misses on avg. We need another center. Are we really talking about rolling the dice that he can not only play every game but, play at least 35mpg on top of it? While we run a wing player at the 5 as a backup?

We need another center.

Which is why you grab a Nick Richards or a Precious. Beggars can't be choosers, so it's what can we get for the about 7 million in a TPE we have or who can we get for a a few million dollars.

[WargamesX]

This is the key, IMO. OG can guard most 5's in this league, at least for 10-15 mins, and I'd hope it's not too stressful for him. I'd like to try and trade for Nick Richards or re-sign Precious for that extra body, and in case of injuries.

But I think a unit of Brunson/Mikal/OG/Randle with Donte or Hart in the extra spot, depending on the situation, should work.

The issue is Mitch. It's not about the 18-20 mpg he needs to sit. It's the 30-35 games a year he misses on avg. We need another center. Are we really talking about rolling the dice that he can not only play every game but, play at least 35mpg on top of it? While we run a wing player at the 5 as a backup?

We need another center.

Which is why you grab a Nick Richards or a Precious. Beggars can't be choosers, so it's what can we get for the about 7 million in a TPE we have or who can we get for a a few million dollars.

Honestly I see it as sims is the backup who is going to play 18 minutes a night and they are looking for the 3rd center for games either he or Mitch or in foul trouble or if injuries happen. They just need somebody who is a rebounder, shotblocker, and who other bigs can’t just bully down there.

I don’t think there is anyone available who can come in and just take Sims spot. The backup center position is his to lose.

[mpharris36]

as much as I love Duece if he is only going to be playing 12-14 minutes in a regular season and less in the playoffs when rotations shorten we should really use him to upgrade the center position.

Kolek or a vet FA like a Lowry can handle those minutes...but 18 minutes of Randle at the 5 is way too much...and what happen when Mitch misses his usually 30-40 games a season?

[MrDollarBills]

8-MAN ROTATION
1: Brunson (35) / McBride (13)
2: Bridges (18) / DiVincenzo (30)
3: Anunoby (32) / Bridges (16)
4: Randle (17) / Hart (31)
5: Robinson (30) / Randle (18)

MINUTE DISTRIBUTION
Brunson – 35 mins
Randle – 35 mins
Bridges – 34 mins
Anunoby – 32 mins
Robinson – 30 mins
– – –
Hart – 31 mins
DiVincenzo – 30 mins
McBride – 13 mins

While this is ideal, Mitch is always an injury concern.

Leon has to get a viable back up center in place. They don't have to be as good as Hartenstein but they have to be able to step in and give the squad a good 20 to 24 mins at least of rebounding and defense. Offense I am not concerned about.

I hope he's working the phones.

[DOT]

I do think we should experiment with Randle at C, but we don't know if it'll work, and even if it does, Thibs isn't gonna like it

At minimum, we should be re-signing Precious, not to a big deal because I don't think he proved he's worth that, but so we at least have a backup C who can emergency start when Mitch gets injured

But our options are extremely limited because no cap space, and it's gonna be an issue for us this year if we don't do something about it.

[kNicksGmen]

people are being a bit dramatic about "the sky is falling" if we have to rely on Mitch. plenty of good teams rely on players not exactly known for their health. yes the celtics have horford but he's a year older (though he doesn't seem to age) and rely on KP. Sixers now rely on both Embiid and PG. Those are the 2 teams we really need to worry about to get out of the east and they have their own injury questions.

yes we need to shore up the backup 5, but if we can hopefully keep precious - who can play backup 5 and pick up another front court piece i think we'll be ok.

part of it is Thibs might need to change his approach a bit. if we're relying on Mitch to stay healthy we prob should keep his minutes down. if there was ever a time to play around with a small ball 2nd unit, now is the time.

our 1-4 (positions) are extremely solid. hard to have an elite starting 5 and backups. our starting lineup is elite with Mitch healthy. if he misses time there will be a dropoff for sure. but i think precious can fill in and do OK.

[j4remi]

Honestly I see it as sims is the backup who is going to play 18 minutes a night and they are looking for the 3rd center for games either he or Mitch or in foul trouble or if injuries happen. They just need somebody who is a rebounder, shotblocker, and who other bigs can’t just bully down there.

I don’t think there is anyone available who can come in and just take Sims spot. The backup center position is his to lose.

There was a brief period in his sophomore year when Sims looked like he was figuring out his defensive spacing better. So, I've still got some hope for him. But I'd definitely want to bring in someone that can challenge him for that role.

Precious is undersized but we saw him hold his own when everyone else got hurt. Richards...just a solid big man with maybe a bit of room for growth. But neither guy would guarantee that Sims can't come and take the spot.

I'd definitely rather start the season with that crew. If the team needs more, the trade deadline will be when to strike. The Wizards will inevitably go back in the tank, which is when we should make a play for Jonas Valanciunas (who I've been calling a perfect fit here for the past three years now ).

[Jalen Bluntson]

This is the key, IMO. OG can guard most 5's in this league, at least for 10-15 mins, and I'd hope it's not too stressful for him. I'd like to try and trade for Nick Richards or re-sign Precious for that extra body, and in case of injuries.

But I think a unit of Brunson/Mikal/OG/Randle with Donte or Hart in the extra spot, depending on the situation, should work.

The issue is Mitch. It's not about the 18-20 mpg he needs to sit. It's the 30-35 games a year he misses on avg. We need another center. Are we really talking about rolling the dice that he can not only play every game but, play at least 35mpg on top of it? While we run a wing player at the 5 as a backup?

We need another center.

Which is why you grab a Nick Richards or a Precious. Beggars can't be choosers, so it's what can we get for the about 7 million in a TPE we have or who can we get for a a few million dollars.

I know you suggested getting those players and agree but, the topic is we don't need another center. Which is ridiculous.

If you could guarantee 30-35 mpg and at least 70 games out of Mitch there would be zero need for concern honestly. I would STILL want better than Sims as the backup but, it wouldn't be a big deal right now. If we get a Nick Richards or Precious we still would have to worry about the backup if Mitch takes his yearly vacations. Sims is not the answer and we know nothing about Hukporti yet.

We need another center.

[R-DAWG]

Yes. Mitch is a 60 game, 25 MPG player. When your limiting his minutes, you can keep him healthy for the playoffs, and he will be a very high impact player. But you can't rely on him for 30+ MPG over a full season.

Precious and Sims are extra bodies/3rd big man types to help you balance Mitch's workload throughout the regular season.

The Knicks desperately need a middle of the rotation innings eater type at C. Frankly, that's what Hartenstein was - but he hustled so hard on the glass, gave great effort on defense and was very good as a passer in the high post. Maybe Mo Wagner can come in on the taxpayer MLE and give you the effort/rebounding that I-Hart gave. Remember, the best Knicks lineup to close out a post season game will have Mitch Robinson at the 5. Nick Richards would be great as well if he can be acquired for a package of 2nd rd picks. The Knicks just need a big body who plays hard and isn't a complete 0 on offense.

[R-DAWG]

people are being a bit dramatic about "the sky is falling" if we have to rely on Mitch. plenty of good teams rely on players not exactly known for their health. yes the celtics have horford but he's a year older (though he doesn't seem to age) and rely on KP. Sixers now rely on both Embiid and PG. Those are the 2 teams we really need to worry about to get out of the east and they have their own injury questions.

yes we need to shore up the backup 5, but if we can hopefully keep precious - who can play backup 5 and pick up another front court piece i think we'll be ok.

part of it is Thibs might need to change his approach a bit. if we're relying on Mitch to stay healthy we prob should keep his minutes down. if there was ever a time to play around with a small ball 2nd unit, now is the time.

our 1-4 (positions) are extremely solid. hard to have an elite starting 5 and backups. our starting lineup is elite with Mitch healthy. if he misses time there will be a dropoff for sure. but i think precious can fill in and do OK.

If we had Al Horford, we wouldn't be as concerned with Mitch's health. Randle really doesn't have the kind of game where you can play him at the 5 for long stretch's, especially in Thibs system.

The foundation of this team has been built on strong rim protection and dominating the glass. I think we can work around not having Hartenstein as a passer on the top of the key. There is enough offense with Brunson and Randle playing off each other with Bridges as the third option and OG as a shooter. Someone who gives effort on defense and the glass while spacing the floor is what this team needs.

[jvsimonetti0514]

In theory, this is fine but Mitch and og are probably going to miss 20 games each. I’d def bring precious back and see if I can get Wiseman as a development piece. If there’s anyone that can get the most out of him it be Thibs.

[Ray Williams]

Yes. Mitch is a 60 game, 25 MPG player. When your limiting his minutes, you can keep him healthy for the playoffs, and he will be a very high impact player. But you can't rely on him for 30+ MPG over a full season.

Precious and Sims are extra bodies/3rd big man types to help you balance Mitch's workload throughout the regular season.

The Knicks desperately need a middle of the rotation innings eater type at C. Frankly, that's what Hartenstein was - but he hustled so hard on the glass, gave great effort on defense and was very good as a passer in the high post. Maybe Mo Wagner can come in on the taxpayer MLE and give you the effort/rebounding that I-Hart gave. Remember, the best Knicks lineup to close out a post season game will have Mitch Robinson at the 5. Nick Richards would be great as well if he can be acquired for a package of 2nd rd picks. The Knicks just need a big body who plays hard and isn't a complete 0 on offense.

What if they start playing hack a Mitch, his free throw shooting is worrisome at the end of games.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Precious gave us good minutes. He should be the priority free agent at this point for depth.

[j4remi]

I know you suggested getting those players and agree but, the topic is we don't need another center. Which is ridiculous.

If you could guarantee 30-35 mpg and at least 70 games out of Mitch there would be zero need for concern honestly. I would STILL want better than Sims as the backup but, it wouldn't be a big deal right now. If we get a Nick Richards or Precious we still would have to worry about the backup if Mitch takes his yearly vacations. Sims is not the answer and we know nothing about Hukporti yet.

We need another center.

I think (maybe wishful thinking, I admit) that with Richards or Precious, we could piecemeal through Robinson's yearly break. It's not ideal, but manageable. He's played 59 games or more in four out of six seasons.

I'm guessing there will be more options at the trade deadline than now. That'd give them a few months to see if Sims or Hukporti or a re-signed Precious has enough juice to snatch the backup role with room to earn more minutes.

[thebuzzardman]

What is the name of the less talented, more d*uchebaggey Wagner?

Maybe Knicks should get that guy.

[thebuzzardman]

Precious gave us good minutes. He should be the priority free agent at this point for depth.

He's more a 4 than a 5 though.

Right now, the Knicks have the following individuals capable of playing the 4:

Randle
OG
Mikal
Hart

I think they should look into a true C not named Sims.