The 2024 NBA offseason has been great for the New York Knicks. They were able to add Mikal Bridges in a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets, re-signed OG Anunoby and worked out an unprecedented team-friendly deal with Jalen Brunson.
But, it wasn’t all perfect for the Knicks this summer. They suffered a major loss in free agency when Isaiah Hartenstein signed a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Hartenstein was an integral part of Tom Thibodeau’s rotation during his two seasons in New York. Last season he saw his role expand with the injuries to Mitchell Robinson and took full advantage.
He outperformed the contract he was on at the time, earning a massive raise from the Thunder. Unfortunately for the New York Knicks, that meant pricing out of a range they were able to pay him.
The max deal the Knicks could offer Hartenstein was four years and $72.5 million. He will be making more money in a shorter period of time with the deal he agreed to with Oklahoma City. Staying in New York was strongly considered, but he was presented with an offer he could not refuse.
That has left New York’s front office scouring for help in the frontcourt. The team still has Robinson and Jericho Sims, drafted Ariel Hukporti and re-signed Precious Achiuwa. Replacing Hartenstein won’t be easy, as a lot if hinging on Robinson remaining healthy.
Should the need for a center remain during the regular season, NBA insider John Hollinger has a few names the team could target. In a piece over at The Athletic with Fred Katz, Hollinger revealed several targets he believes would be good for the New York Knicks.
Some of his suggestions are long shots, dependent on teams falling out of the NBA playoff race and needing to shake things up. Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors and Jusuf Nurkic of the Phoenix Suns would fall into that category.
Robert Williams III is a more realistic target of the Portland Trail Blazers. But, injury concerns for him are high, which is a risk given the concerns surrounding Robinson. From a fit and skill set standpoint, Williams would be perfect.
An affordable option, in terms of contract and asset costs, is Larry Nance Jr. He is now on the Atlanta Hawks after being part of the Dejounte Murray blockbuster earlier this summer. As the third center on their depth chart currently, he should be available.
Another option Hollinger mentioned was using Randle at the center spot. Randle at center is something Thibodeau has not entertained much in his tenure with the New York Knicks. His lack of rim protection would be concerning.
But, it is tough getting to the rim if you cannot break through the perimeter defense. With Bridges, Anunoby, Josh Hart, Miles McBride and Donte DiVincenzo patrolling the perimeter, opponents aren’t going to be getting to the rim with much regularity.
For spurts, Randle could likely handle the center spot, especially with how good of rebounders Hart and DiVincenzo are for perimeter players.
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