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

[Deeeez Knicks]

There will always be bad teams that are looking to trade vets for picks, even 2nd rounders. I'm sure there will be some mediocre Cs we can get for depth during the season for relatively cheaply....2nd rounders + fillers. I would not panic right now and overpay for the same mediocre type Cs right now.

[EnigmatiC]

There will always be bad teams that are looking to trade vets for picks, even 2nd rounders. I'm sure there will be some mediocre Cs we can get for depth during the season for relatively cheaply....2nd rounders + fillers. I would not panic right now and overpay for the same mediocre type Cs right now.

This is exactly how I feel. I just don't know how our cap situation effects our ability to take in money without sending out equal or greater value as we don't really have the contracts to trade.

[Moose]

Maybe we bring back Previous and sign 1 of Wagner/Wiseman

Or maybe we try to bring in all 3 if possible and we see Sims shipped out

Ideally though, we trade Sims + picks for Kessler and bring back Precious.

Mitch/Kessler/Precious
Randle/Precious

That would give us 3 players who can play some real minutes at center if needed.

And then we have Randle as well.

However, Precious would not be seeing minutes unless foul trouble or injury with Kessler in the fold. He would not be in our 9-man rotation if the team is healthy.

[Deeeez Knicks]

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.

Precious has played a lot of minutes at C too. Maybe he's better at PF but if we are pairing him next to a combo of Randle/OG/Mikal/ Hart think he works fine
.. Actually might fit well. If we can find a true C that's actually good I would take that. If we are talking about the scrubs that are left in free agency then I'd rather just bring back Prescious.

[j4remi]

There will always be bad teams that are looking to trade vets for picks, even 2nd rounders. I'm sure there will be some mediocre Cs we can get for depth during the season for relatively cheaply....2nd rounders + fillers. I would not panic right now and overpay for the same mediocre type Cs right now.

The wizards signed Jonas Valanciunas for 10 million per year. They’ll probably be back in the tank by January. That’s a name New York should circle and target at the deadline.

[Deeeez Knicks]

There will always be bad teams that are looking to trade vets for picks, even 2nd rounders. I'm sure there will be some mediocre Cs we can get for depth during the season for relatively cheaply....2nd rounders + fillers. I would not panic right now and overpay for the same mediocre type Cs right now.

This is exactly how I feel. I just don't know how our cap situation effects our ability to take in money without sending out equal or greater value as we don't really have the contracts to trade.

That is true. Brock will have to figure something out and maneuver around the cap. Something will pop up

[G_K_F]

We really need a center unless you want Sims starting in a playoff game.

[Jalen Bluntson]

This is the topic of the week until it is addressed. Shart leaving put a monkey wrench in the plans. We would be done for the summer/ready for the season and, Summer League would be the final stretch of discussion as the dog days set in.

[Deeeez Knicks]

We really need a center unless you want Sims starting in a playoff game.

Not against Boston though. We are probably better off going small or playing someone like Precious that can defend the perimeter. They basically take out rim protectors and slow footed / non athletic Cs are a liability and unplayable against them

[JayTWill]

If the role of the center defensively was simply to guard the opposing center then sure maybe Randle could play the 5 for short stretches but there are so many other responsibilities on the defensive end for a center. He would be a disaster at that position with his motor and questionable decision making.

OG would be better in that role but I wouldn't want him banging with bigger bodies for long stretches on the glass or in the post with his injury history.

And Mitch has his own injury history. He wasn't even in great shape when he returned at the end of last year. I'm not sure how he will look to begin this season after another ankle surgery and obviously we shouldn't expect him to be available for the entire season. We desperately need another center.

[Richard4444]

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.

The cap should skyrocket next season. But our expenses will also skyrocket. Brunson's upcoming extension should hit the cap (his salary should go to 35M in the best scenario). I do not think we can stay under the first apron.

Sportrac puts us into 176M (for 8 players with the Brunson 25M PO). With Brunsons new salary and more 7 vet min players, we will end up around 200M (Sportrac foresees a 196M 1Apron and 208M 2Apron).

In the best scenario, we could use the TMLE to sign someone.

[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.

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.

i think randle at the 5 is really OG at the 5 if that makes sense. randle's rebounding holds up especially if we put jhart in that small ball lineup. if we run small stretches of the "2nd unit" with Deuce-Divo-Hart-OG-Randle (or swap OG or randle with precious) then i think it can work. not sure Thibs will embrace it though.

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.

The cap should skyrocket next season. But our expenses will also skyrocket. Brunson's upcoming extension should hit the cap (his salary should go to 35M in the best scenario). I do not think we can stay under the first apron.

Sportrac puts us into 176M (for 8 players with the Brunson 25M PO). With Brunsons new salary and more 7 vet min players, we will end up around 200M (Sportrac foresees a 196M 1Apron and 208M 2Apron).

In the best scenario, we could use the TMLE to sign someone.

cap is never going to "skyrocket" as they have a rule about 10% max increases. but it should raise 10% consistently every year for the foreseeable future.

[FrozenEnvelope]

Thibs playing Randle at C? I'll believe it when I see it.

[R-DAWG]

I know people on this board are going to kill me for saying this, but we should be looking to see if we can flip either Hart, DDV, or McBride for a C. We know Thibs is always going to want a C on the floor, so trading from a position of depth to fill a position of weakness might be needed.

[sol537]

I know people on this board are going to kill me for saying this, but we should be looking to see if we can flip either Hart, DDV, or McBride for a C. We know Thibs is always going to want a C on the floor, so trading from a position of depth to fill a position of weakness might be needed.

Can't use the Nova guys (would kill the immaculate vibes) so it would have to be McBride. But I think NYK will, instead, look to retain Precious and then to use guys like Sims/Diakete plus a pick or picks to trade for a center like Nick Richards.

Sims/Diakete (or our Obi TPE) for Kessler works, salary wise, but we'd probably have to include: Rights to Rokas, WAS 1st, DET 1st, future pick swap, two 2nd rounders or something like that. Could be worth it to retain McBride and to get a young center who is cost controlled and who may fit Thibs' system perfectly.

[Fury]

I know people on this board are going to kill me for saying this, but we should be looking to see if we can flip either Hart, DDV, or McBride for a C. We know Thibs is always going to want a C on the floor, so trading from a position of depth to fill a position of weakness might be needed.

If we’re going to compete at the highest level, we can’t trade any of them. It’s what gets us at that level. The depth at each position. Once we lose that advantage, we’re a second round team. We need to find another way to get a center. McBride would be the closest cause we just got Kolek but if possible, we should avoid trading him too.

[WargamesX]

I know people on this board are going to kill me for saying this, but we should be looking to see if we can flip either Hart, DDV, or McBride for a C. We know Thibs is always going to want a C on the floor, so trading from a position of depth to fill a position of weakness might be needed.

This is darkest timeline thinking

[MrDollarBills]

We really need a center unless you want Sims starting in a playoff game.

Not against Boston though. We are probably better off going small or playing someone like Precious that can defend the perimeter. They basically take out rim protectors and slow footed / non athletic Cs are a liability and unplayable against them

OG at the 5, Randle at 4, Hart at 3, Mikal at 2.

[cgf]

I'm cool with bringing Precious back. If we get 50+ games Mitch, not 30-game Mitch, I'm cool with an Achiuwa/Sims platoon behind him.

Would've really liked Bitadze, but he got more than we can offer.

[j4remi]

I didn't watch enough Jazz basketball to know, but I see Omer Yurtseven being name dropped. How's he?