SNYs Ian Begley will respond to Knicks questions from readers. Here is the latest…
Ian, any news on the backup center situation? – @BeanniiBrunson
The only new information I have here is that late last month, the Knicks at least explored the market for a veteran center.
Earlier in the offseason, the Knicks had some interest in a signing Bruno Fernando. Fernando signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Raptors in early August.
As noted last month, the Knicks too made an offer to Omer Yurtseven earlier in free agency. Yurtseven did not give strong consideration to the offer and last week agreed terms with European club Panathinaikos.
With Isaiah Hartenstein in Oklahoma City, center is still the greatest position of need for the Knicks. They are about $7 million below the second apron– due to salary cap rules, the Knicks’ team salary cannot exceed the second apron. They still have a taxpayer mid-level exception to use in free agency. But I don’t see any available free agents making $5 million a year.
@Coach_Schmitt1 asked about the possibility of upgrading the backup spot via trade. Trade rules for teams above the first apron are prohibitive, but I think the Knicks will continue to explore every option until they find a backup or it becomes clear that they don’t need one because the current centers are thriving.
Maybe Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Simsand a novice Ariel Hukporti will give the Knicks what they need during the season. But there are reasons to be skeptical. Robinson is coming back from offseason foot surgery and has been hampered by injury problems at different points in his career. Sims, 25, doesn’t have much experience as a starting center. Hukporti is a newbie. Sure, the Knicks can play Julius Randle in the center in the second unit. But does that give them enough depth at the position? That remains an open question as we get closer to training camp.
How will the Knicks use their remaining cap space and/or the last roster spot? – @jmere09nyc
They could keep the spot open during training camp and give it to a player who impresses in camp/preseason. They currently have 14 players on traditional NBA contracts and three players on two-way deals. NBA teams can carry a maximum of 15 players on NBA contracts and three players on two-way deals during the regular season. (In a training camp, they can carry a maximum of 20 players). So the Knicks can see who stands out in training camp and give the 15th spot to a player currently on a camp deal.
Of note here: People familiar with the matter said late last month that it was unlikely the Knicks would use their 15th pick to sign a backup point guard. Ryan Archdeacon. Arcidiacono spent parts of the past two seasons with the Knicks. Tom Thibodeau continuously praised Arcidiacono’s professionalism and the way he impacted the team despite limited minutes. But people familiar with the matter thought it was unlikely Arcidiacono would return under the current Knicks roster. Things can change if the Knicks make a trade. But if they planned to sign Arcidiacono — a close friend of Jalen Brunson‘s — to the 15th roster, they probably would have already done that.
QUICK HITTERS
Should we expect to see any Julius Randle @ center minutes next year…? – @Betsycashmoney
If the Knicks enter the season with this roster, it’s reasonable to expect Randle to play some center. Thibodeau hasn’t played Randle big minutes at center while Obi Toppin was on the roster. But he may not have much of a choice with the current roster. At the very least, we should see Randle under center during the preseason under the current roster configuration.
@AnytimeKnicks asked that and wondered about AND Anunoby in the center Thibodeau mentioned the possibility of Anunoby at center last season when the Knicks were shorthanded. So he is open to the idea.
Regarding OG Anunoby’s new contract, are there any injury protections built into his new deal? – @TheKnicksRecap
No injury protections in that deal. Everything is fully guaranteed.
You said the Knicks were seriously considering trading Julius in the middle of the summer. What is the status on that? – @NYKT73
Don’t believe I said that. If you read it, it wasn’t by me.
What is the Knicks record for the 2024-25 season? – @MikeDrew78
I’m going with 49-33, third seed in the Eastern Conference.
Thanks for the questions, everyone! I will answer more over the next couple of weeks.
