3 centers for Knicks to consider if they move on from Isaiah Hartenstein or Mitchell Robinson

After the Knicks’ megadeal on Tuesday night to land Mikal Bridges from the Nets, there is still more work for the club to do . The center position remains one of the New York’s burning questions this offseason.

Starter Isaiah Hartenstein is an unrestricted free agent, and as SNY’s Ian Begley has reported, it has become unlikely that the Knicks will be able to retain their center, unless Hartenstein elects to take significantly less money to stay in New York.

Additionally, Mitchell Robinson’s name has come up in trade rumors recently, per Begley, and he could be an option for the Knicks to move to trim payroll if the unlikely happens and Hartenstein returns on a larger deal.

The Bridges trade, as it currently has been reported, hard-capped the Knicks at the first apron of $178 million. But as Begley reported during the draft, the Knicks could add salary to the trade, which would then hard-cap them at the second apron ($189.5 million). While that would give them a bit more flexibility, the Knicks would likely be focused on limiting spending around the rest of the roster. Having both centers was a strength of this Knicks roster, but it makes sense to move on from one of them, especially after re-signing OG Anunoby.

Begley mentioned that Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze is one of several at the position that the Knicks have on their radar. Bitadze is a young, buy-low option who has shown flashes of becoming an NBA rotation regular.

It is also worth mentioning that the Knicks have Precious Achiuwa, who filled in admirably at both the power forward and backup center spots. Achiuwa is a restricted free agent this offseason. New York also has former second round pick Jericho Sims on the roster.

Here’s a look at three centers the Knicks should consider as backup plans in free agency if they don’t keep Hartenstein or Robinson:

1. Goga Bitadze

A former first round pick of the Indiana Pacers in 2019, Bitadze’s game has changed from when he made his debut. Bitadze was supposed to be a floor-spacing big, but after struggling from deep, he’s removed three-pointers from his shot diet since joining the Magic.

Bitadze kept…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/3-centers-knicks-consider-move-162804369.html

Author : SNY

Publish date : 2024-06-27 16:28:04

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