Tag: knicks frontcourt

Mitchell Robinson joined the Boston Celtics in free agency. This departure left the New York Knicks without their best interior defender. Robinson averaged 22.2 rebounds per 100 possessions during the 2025-26 regular season. He also recorded 10.6 offensive rebounds per 100 possessions. No other player in NBA history averaged more than 10 offensive boards per 100 possessions over a full season. Robinson shot 72.3 percent from the field last season. He finished his career with a 70.2 percent field goal percentage. He also averaged 2.1 blocks per 36 minutes. The frontcourt is thin.

Isaiah Hartenstein moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He signed a three-year, 87 million dollar contract. This departure prompted the Knicks to trade Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns. Hartenstein currently averages 12.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists for the Thunder. He also recorded 17 victories in 18 games since joining the Thunder. Hartenstein believes the move benefits both parties. He says Leon Rose makes the right adjustments. Hartenstein previously played for the Knicks, where he averaged 8.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He recovered from a broken hand in the preseason before joining the Thunder rotation.

Karl-Anthony Towns faces bilateral knee soreness. This condition downgraded him from questionable to doubtful against the Indiana Pacers. Towns averages 20.0 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists over 63 games. He shoots 49.3 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three. Towns faces soreness. Josh Hart also manages soreness in his left knee. Hart averages 11.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists over 54 games. He shoots 49.5 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three. Hart also manages aches in his ankles and back. If Hart misses more games, Jordan Clarkson likely absorbs those minutes. Clarkson scored 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting during his last appearance against Utah. Hart played for Villanova and earned a four-year, 80.9 million dollar contract extension. Towns earned six All-Star selections and the 2015 Rookie of the Year award.

James Dolan requires the Knicks to stay below the second apron. This limit sits at approximately 220 million dollars. The Knicks owe 192 million dollars to their starting five alone. They also owe money to players like Deuce McBride, Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, Mohamed Diawara, and Jose Alvarado. Leon Rose must navigate the roster construction carefully because owner James Dolan refuses to exceed the second apron, which sits at approximately 220 million dollars, even though the team wants to repeat their title success. The team could use the contracts of Miles McBride and Pacome Dadiet to facilitate a trade. These two contracts combine for 6.94 million dollars. The situation remains uncertain.

The Knicks look for a backup center. They recently missed out on Moussa Diabate after the Dallas Mavericks matched their offer sheet. Diabate averages 7.9 points and 8.7 rebounds. The team also looks at Nick Richards, a client of CAA. Richards averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Suns and Bulls. Other targets include Yves Missi and Mouhamadou Gueye. The Knicks previously tried to trade for Missi in a package with Jose Alvarado. Thomas Sorber could provide upside. He sits behind Andre Drummond for Oklahoma City. He has yet to make an NBA debut due to injuries. Luka Garza could serve as a reliable backup. He shoots three-pointers. The Celtics might trade him because they added Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta. They also drafted Chris Cenac Jr. in the first round of the 2026 draft. Can the team survive without a reliable second big man?

The team needs to increase Miles McBride’s minutes alongside Jalen Brunson and Towns. McBride’s presence helps create space. The pairing of McBride and Towns produced a +9.6 net rating last season. McBride’s defense helps Jalen Brunson. Jose Alvarado also benefits from playing with Towns. The Alvarado and Towns pairing produced a +18.2 net rating. Alvarado works to get the ball to Towns early. You already know the Knicks’ championship run relied on frontcourt grit.

The Knicks rely on Andre Drummond and Ariel Hukporti for center depth. Drummond joined on a minimum contract. Hukporti is a second-year project. Trey Jemison III also received minutes during the season. The roster lacks depth. Mitchell Robinson struggled with injuries throughout his career. He played only 60 games in the 2025-26 season. He played 48 games in the prior two seasons combined. He converted just 17 of 58 free throw attempts during the postseason. This 29 percent accuracy from the line hindered the offense.

The Knicks seek to defend their championship. Losing Mitchell Robinson left a hole in the rotation. The team also faces injury concerns with Towns and Hart. The frontcourt rotation remains a struggle for Mike Brown.