Should the Knicks Add a Third Center Before the Season?

The New York Knicks are trying to build a roster strong enough to chase an NBA championship, but their current group may still be a couple of pieces short.

On Wednesday, Mitchell Robinson was reported to have agreed to a three-year deal with the Boston Celtics, a move that would strip away one of New York’s most reliable strengths. The Knicks have added to their bench by bringing back Mo Diawara, Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado, but in today’s NBA, dependable depth at center remains a major need.

New York’s financial flexibility is also limited. The team is unable to operate above the second apron, restricting its ability to hand out a sizable contract to fill the frontcourt vacancy. The Knicks used $3.9 million to add Andre Drummond, but the roster still appears to need another big man. They can still sign two players to veteran-minimum contracts.

The remaining free-agent market is not especially exciting, though the Knicks’ front office has shown an ability to find value in tough spots. Whoever arrives this summer does not necessarily have to be the long-term solution. The trade deadline is still months away, and New York has assets it can use if a better option emerges. The Jose Alvarado addition is a reminder of how a smart pickup can make a real difference.

Kevon Looney

Kevon Looney could check several boxes for the Knicks. He brings championship experience from his years with Golden State and was part of title-winning teams alongside Knicks head coach Mike Brown. That familiarity later turned into a challenge for Brown when he had to coach against Looney during his time in Sacramento.

“A lot of people say that Steph’s 50-point performance was Game 7 was our downfall. But Steph is a great player. It’s going to be hard to stop Steph,” Brown told Sportskeeda. “I’ve been a part of many NBA championships with Steph knowing that everybody is gameplanning to stop him. He still goes and gets his. Where we lost that series is the rebounding department. Kevon Looney has a heck of a series. In that Game 7, if we could’ve controlled the boards, even with Steph’s 50, I thought we would’ve had a much better chance of winning the game.”

Looney would not fully replace what Robinson provides, but he may be one of the closer available alternatives. His work on the offensive glass has been a strength throughout his career, with an offensive rebounding rate that has ranked in the top 20 percent among big men in each of the past five seasons. That kind of effort and physicality is exactly the profile New York has valued at the center position in recent years.

The fear is that he is over the hill. He is only 30 years old, but needed surgery to repair torn labrums in both sides of his hips when he first entered the league. Yet, he has still logged at least 70 games played in four of the past five seasons. A poor environment last season may have contributed to his reduced production and a return to a winning organization may turn that around.

James Edwards and Fred Katz mentioned Looney directly as a possible replacement for Robinson, but it was refuted by Stefan Bondy. Time will tell whether the veteran ultimately lands in New York.

Nick Richards

There has been speculation in the past that Richards could be a fit as a third center in New York. The 28-year-old has bounced around the league over the past couple of seasons after finding some initial success in Charlotte. His offensive efficiency is intriguing as he has posted above a 60 percent true shooting percentage in four of his six seasons playing in the NBA. That efficiency far outpaces Looney and his total rebounding percentage for his career clocks in right around his number, as well.

The trouble with Richards is the impact he has on the team around him. The offensive rating when he’s been on the floor throughout his career is pretty poor, even though he has shown himself to be efficient. Defensively he has good size, but isn’t impactful at protecting the rim.

Maxi Kleber

The interesting thing about Kleber is that he offers a different play style compared to some of the other options on the list. He gives the team a bonafide three-point option as he has drained over 35 percent of his looks from deep throughout his career.

There are a few negatives, though. His injury history is robust as he hasn’t played more than 50 games since the 2021-22 season. On top of that, he has historically been an atrocious rebounder— the 30-year-old has a rebounding percentage rated among the worst at his position.

The offensive versatility could make his pairing with Drummond interesting. He provides a different skill that could make him attractive as a third option, which could give an alternative look for Brown to look to if Drummond is struggling. Yet, it would be outside of the box for the Knicks to sign a player with this type of résumé.