Knicks expected to ‘monitor’ trade for former All-Defensive center | Sporting News

The New York Knicks are likely going to be active on the trade market for centers this NBA season.

The Knicks center rotation is arguably the biggest concern on the team. The rotation currently consists of the talented but oft-injured Mitchell Robinson, the slightly undersized and still-developing Precious Achiuwa, and the seldom-used Jericho Sims.

If any of their centers were to get injured — especially Robinson — it could be a big test of their depth and possibly leave the team without a tested rim protector who can play big minutes.

Read more: Why Mitchell Robinson could be the Knicks’ biggest X-factor this season

The Knicks seem well aware that they will need to address center at some point this season, as they’ve been linked to several centers in trade rumors.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Knicks will likely be one of several teams monitoring Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III.

“I would say any team looking for a center is going to watch Robert Williams closely this year,” Windhorst said on “NBA Today” on ESPN. “After the Blazers drafted Donovan Clingan, and they’ve got Deandre Ayton, who’s probably not very trade-able, on their roster, I don’t know where Robert Williams fits. I think the Knicks will be among the teams monitoring him.”

Windhorst also noted that the Knicks have been linked to Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, though the asking price may be too high for the Knicks.

Williams is a player we had also identified as a trade candidate (prior to the Knicks trading for Mikal Bridges).

Williams is one of the NBA’s best shot-blockers and a surprisingly good passer — something the Knicks will miss after Isaiah Hartenstein’s departure. He made an All-Defensive Team in 2021-22, while averaging 10 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game for the Boston Celtics.

The problem is Williams has been injury-prone, too. The 6-foot-9 big man has only played over 60 games once in his career, and has played just 41 combined games over the last two seasons. That makes the prospect of trading for Williams tricky — if the Knicks sent out Robinson in such a deal, they’d be trading one injury-prone center for another. If the Knicks kept Robinson and added Williams — well, they would be facing the potential of both of their centers missing time with injuries.

Of course, in the era of salary cap aprons, constructing fake trades is harder than ever. The Knicks cannot take in more money than they send out in a trade, so, assuming Robinson is not included in such a deal, the Knicks would have to send multiple  players to match Williams’ $12.4 million salary.

The Knicks will have plenty of routes to go in search of another center, but the prospect of adding a healthy Williams to the Knicks’ current roster is a tantalizing one.