Thaddeus Young

Last season, the New York Knicks went traditional at center. The minutes were mostly split between Nerleans Noel and Mitchell Robinson.

That’s fine. They’re both solid rotation players. Still, they both have limitations. Neither is a floor-spacer. Noel can survive defending in space, but he’s still optimal in drop coverage, where Robinson almost exclusively operates.

The Knicks could use a switch-friendly big man who shoots threes. Enter Thaddeus Young. He knocked down 39.5% of his 1.7 three-point attempts per game over 26 contests with the Toronto Raptors in 2021-22. He’s also a versatile defender who provides value on both the perimeter and the interior.

Thaddeus Young’s career development has encapsulated the modern game as much as any player. Entering the league, he was widely regarded as a wing. He eventually evolved into a 4, and then last year, the Raptors used him almost exclusively at the 5.

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The Knicks could use such a versatile player in the frontcourt. Lineups pairing Thaddeus Young with Obi Toppin could wreak havoc on opposing offenses. He would be a great acquisition for this team heading into 2022-23.