Knicks have veteran center ‘on their radar’ as potential Mitchell Robinson cover

The New York Knicks will be without Mitchell Robinson for the opening months of the season. The 7-foot rim-runner is currently recovering from surgery he received for a stress fracture in his ankle back in April. SNY’s Ian Begley recently reported that Robinson is unlikely to return before December or even early January. 

“As far as Mitchell Robinson, he will not be ready for the start of the season, per SNY sources,” Begley wrote. “The Knicks and Robinson don’t want to rush the rehab process and is targeting a December/January return date, per sources. Robinson and the Knicks are being cautious and want to make sure he is 100 percent healthy before he gets back. New York is confident in the depth and versatility of the roster until Robinson returns.”

According to James L. Edwards of The Athletic, the Knicks have been monitoring Nick Richards of the Charlotte Hornets during the offseason. The 26-year-old big man would provide size, rebounding and interior scoring off New York’s bench. His style of play would also fit perfectly with HC Tom Thibodeau’s offensive and defensive system. However, as New York would likely need to give up Miles McBride to get a deal over the line, Edwards believes a potential trade between the two teams would be a non-starter. 

“Richards, who league sources tell The Athletic is someone the Knicks have had on their radar this offseason, is a big, physical specimen with a good motor,” Edwards wrote. “He rebounds OK, too, and can be disruptive at the rim. McBride, though, is the best player in this deal, so I’d be hesitant to do this particular trade if I were running the Knicks’ front office, even if it addresses a need.”

Without Robinson in their rotation, the Knicks may need to get creative to ensure they have a viable center rotation. The franchise is already short-handed in the middle of the floor after losing Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the start of the offseason. 

However, during a recent interview with NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner, Thibodeau confirmed that he could look to use Julius Randle at center for small stretches, along with entrusting more minutes to Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa.

“When he [Mitchell] went out, Jericho Sims started initially, then he got hurt,” Thibodeau said. “Then Isaiah came in and did what he did. But when he got hurt, Precious [Achiuwa] came in along with Taj Gibson. So we rotated guys at that position the entire year. We’ll probably have to do it by committee. We’ll look at some different things, because we have versatility — we could see Julius more at the 5. I don’t want to do that for long stretches, it would take its toll, but to have him do it for 10 or 15 minutes, I think he can do it well.”

The Knicks have positioned themselves as a genuine contender in the Eastern Conference. Their move to acquire Mikal Bridges has given them the roster depth and two-way talent to compete with the Boston Celtics for a spot in next season’s NBA Finals. However, they’re at their best when Robinson is healthy and part of the rotation. If they’re expecting him to be an injury concern throughout the year, finding a way to add Richards to the ranks may be a logical move, assuming they can get him at a fair price.