Knicks backup center looks sharp in workouts

Free Agent Isaiah Hartenstein was expected to depart New York this offseason, given that another team’s offer could be far beyond the Knicks’ matching capacity. Indeed, Hartenstein signed a three-year, $87 million contract with the Thunder, while New York could only offer the big man a maximum of four years, $72 million.

Thus, Mitchell Robinson remains the club’s starting center, having been in that role before Hartenstein’s emergence due to injuries. The 26-year-old Robinson will be crucial for the Knicks’ success this season, particularly in offensive rebounding. Currently, he is rehabbing from another ankle surgery. Despite concerns about his health, Robinson is considered a valuable team player who is highly regarded by his teammates.

New York has its sights on an NBA title after trading for Mikal Bridges and re-signing OG Anunoby to a $212.5 million contract. A lack of depth at the center position could severely hinder that plan, however. One solution available to coach Tom Thibodeau is to use Julius Randle more often as a small-ball center, especially when paired with a versatile defender like Anunoby. This approach would be effective in short stretches but is not a great strategy against big men like Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid.

Given Robinson’s undeniable injury history, there’s a resounding cry amongst the fans that the Knicks need a backup center after losing Hartenstein. Re-signing 6’8”, 225 lb Precious Achiuwa, who played well for New York last season, and adding another player using the taxpayer mid-level exception should be doable, assuming Achiuwa’s price is affordable.

The New York Knicks declined to extend a $6.3 million qualifying offer to Precious Achiuwa on June 30, 2024, making him an unrestricted free agent instead of a restricted one. He has received interest from several contending teams, but according to multiple sources he remains open to returning to New York. With some cap flexibility, the Knicks can re-sign Achiuwa and use the taxpayer midlevel exception ($5.2 million) to sign another free agent.

The market for centers is awfully thin: Mo Wagner signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Magic; James Wiseman joined Indiana on a two-year deal; Xavier Tillman signed with the Celtics; and Mo Bamba signed a one-year deal with the Clippers. Goga Bitadze, Jonas Valanciunas, and Andre Drummond were also previously targeted by the Knicks but signed deals elsewhere. Veterans like Taj Gibson, Daniel Theis, or Tristan Thompson could provide depth during the regular season but would be unplayable in the playoffs.

The Knicks have shown interest in trading for Walker Kessler. Currently employed by the Utah Jazz, Kessler had a strong rookie season but a less impactful second season, in part due to injury. Subsequently, he was demoted to the bench, and there might be friction between Kessler and Jazz head coach Will Hardy. Rival executives believe that Utah’s Danny Ainge might listen to trade offers for Kessler.

Despite the slump, the Jazz still say positive things about Kessler and plan to play him in the upcoming Summer League.

The Knicks drafted Ariel Hukporti with the 58th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Hukporti is a promising, if raw, young center, who will need G League seasoning before logging minutes at MSG. But one player who is already on the Knicks’ roster and oft-overlooked in all this discussion seems to be on a campaign to change public opinion about his game.

Third-string Knicks center Jericho Sims, whose team option for $2,092,344 was picked up, provides another valid option. And the good news is, he’s been getting up shots in the gym!

Jericho Sims was selected by the New York Knicks with the 58th overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft. As memory serves, the 6’10”, 245 lb Sims showed flashes of a floater in Summer League’s past, but it’s been a while. Sims is primarily known for his athleticism (he competed in 2023’s Slam Dunk competition), defensive skills, and ability to finish at the rim, but rarely shoots from beyond a putt. Well now . . . get a load of this!

Thus far, Sims—who will turn 26 this season—has offered no floor spacing or perimeter skills, and we know that gym work is much different than game action. Still, given all the time he appears to be investing in developing his shot, perhaps we can expect a little more offensive chutzpah next season?

Is Sims a viable second option behind Mitch? Does his shooting form look legit? Discuss below. Go Knicks!