Knicks should call Magic about availability of 25-year-old big man | Sporting News

The New York Knicks are beginning to gel, but do they still have depth problems at the center position?

New York has been linked in trade rumors to various centers on the trade market including Chris Boucher of the Toronto Raptors, Jonas Valančiūnas of the Washington Wizards, and Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Valančiūnas and Williams III are big names, and Boucher is a two-time NBA champion; the Knicks would love to be able to acquire any of the three.

But building a champion (like the Knicks hope to do) often involves making savvy, nuanced additions to the roster that provide hidden or underappreciated value.

One big man flying under the radar right now on the trade market is 25-year-old Goga Bitadze of the Orlando Magic. Bitadze is a guy the Knicks should go after.

His talent has always been there (former No. 18 pick by the Indiana Pacers), and Bitadze is finally getting the consistent minutes opportunities from the Magic to display his gifts.

The six-foot-ten center is averaging a double-double per 36 minutes for Orlando, and he’s on a bargain contract being in the first year of a three-year, $25 million deal.

On Monday, Forbes Sports’ Evan Sidery indicated that Bitadze might be made available by Orlando before the trade deadline on February 6.

“Goga Bitadze is a player drawing trade interest amidst a career-best season for the Magic,” Sidery said.

“Once their rotation is healthy, Bitadze will be back into a limited role on Orlando’s bench. On a value contract that descends through 2026-27, plenty of contending teams will be calling.”

The Knicks should be one of them.

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