Last season, the Knicks executed a blockbuster in-season trade to add one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. Sending out key pieces RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickly, they added OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa to bolster their frontcourt depth after losing Mitchell Robinson early on. The trade worked wonders, and the Knicks went 20-3 with Anunoby in the lineup. They made the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the second time in a row and likely would have made it further if Anunoby hadn’t gotten injured in Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers.
Fast forward to today, and the Leon Rose front office will be looking to repeat this scenario in 2024-25. After losing Isaiah Hartenstein to the OKC Thunder, the Knicks didn’t focus too much on the center position, opting to build their backcourt depth by adding Cam Payne, and trading for Mikal Bridges. They kept Robinson and Achiuwa in-house. So, who should the Knicks be thinking about as the season progresses?
Knicks Should Keep These Centers in Mind for In-Season Trades
Robert Williams III
The Blazers have four centers on the roster, and Robert Williams III is the odd man out in Portland. His injury history and lack of offensive versatility make him a liability on a rebuilding team. The Blazers’ era of contention will not start for a couple of years, and centers of Williams’ ilk will fetch much more on the market now than when he is older. On the other hand, his fit on the Knicks is iffy at best. His lack of playing time is even more concerning than Robinson’s, and he has played in over 50 games just twice in six years. While it’s hard to measure his defensive impact this upcoming season, the last time he played over 6o games, Williams finished seventh in DPOY voting and made the All-Defense Second Team.
Walker Kessler
At this point, this has gone too far. The Knicks and Jazz have consistently been involved in trade rumors surrounding Walker Kessler, and every time they have been for naught. But, the allure of Kessler keeps fans coming back. The Jazz seemingly want to move on, and he started just 22 games last season, down from 40 in 2022-23. He backed up John Collins for most of the year, and his transferrable skills make him a valuable trade asset. Kessler was one of the best shot blockers in the league last year. He adds another dominant offensive rebounder to the Knicks and provides a stabilizing force. He has played 60+ games in both his NBA seasons, something Robinson has done only four times. Kessler’s mid-range game is highly efficient, eerily similar to the likes of Hartenstein.
Paul Reed
This is an interesting one in my mind. The Detroit Pistons have three centers on their roster, and Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren are still pretty young. That leaves Paul Reed. If the Pistons are good (long shot), Reed could find himself out of the rotation depending on the others’ performances.
His ability to stretch the floor gives the Knicks another reliable option at center on the offensive end. Reed is another elite offensive rebounder, and he was a positive defender for the Sixers last season. He can stuff the box scores and is willing to do the dirty work on both ends. Reed’s durability is noteworthy, as he played all 82 games last season. He can shoot his free throws at a high clip, giving the Knicks a clutch option at center.
The Last Word on Centers the Knicks Should Watch Out For
Leon Rose has proven himself as a general manager and team builder. He is not afraid to pull off blockbuster moves, and his bold attitude has positively affected the fanbase of a once-struggling franchise. It’s not unsafe to say that the Knicks should have faith in Rose because he hasn’t done anything to lose that faith.
