New York Knicks Urged To Pursue Trade For Intriguing Center

The New York Knicks could definitely afford to add some size up front after losing Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA free agency.

The Knicks have Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson as their top two big men, but Randle is coming off of shoulder surgery and Robinson has proven to be very injury-prone.

Clearly, New York needs some insurance in its frontcourt, which is why Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz is urging the Knicks to pursue a trade for Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas.

Valanciunas is not a star, but he is a steady contributor who would add some muscle for New York.

The veteran is coming off of a 2023-24 campaign in which he played every game and averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds over 23.5 minutes a night while shooting 55.9 percent from the floor.

NBA RUMORS & NEWS: New York Knicks Updates

Durability matters, and Valanciunas has certainly displayed that, having played in at least 70 games in four of the past five seasons.

The rebuilding Wizards oddly signed Valanciunas to a three-year deal in free agency, but given the fair rate (around $10 million annually), Washington should be able to trade him.

The New York Knicks need another piece

The Knicks have worked hard to field an elite roster, and this offseason, they made yet another big move by swinging a trade for Mikal Bridges.

However, New York was then forced to part ways with Hartenstein in the process, which opened up a pretty big role up front.

NBA RUMORS & NEWS: New York Knicks Updates

The Knicks have one of the best rosters in basketball on paper, but if they truly want to challenge the Boston Celtics, they need to add another piece, preferably in the frontcourt.

Whether or not Valanciunas is the answer is debatable, but he would definitely provide New York with a boost.

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