Jonas Valanciunas is headed for free agency after the Denver Nuggets waived him, but the New York Knicks would be wise to keep looking elsewhere for their third center.
Shams Charania of ESPN first reported that Denver was moving on from the 34-year-old, who had just $2 million of his $10 million salary guaranteed for next season. Valanciunas is now expected to attract interest from “multiple” teams, and the Knicks could be one of them.
Ian Begley of SNY identified the Lithuanian big man as a possible fit for New York’s third-center opening. But after already leaning away from its usual center profile with the Andre Drummond signing, the Knicks would be doubling down on the wrong type of player if they added Valanciunas too.
New York’s search at center has pointed toward mobility and defense. The team clearly wanted someone closer to Mitchell Robinson in movement, while also bringing a little more touch as a pick-and-roll finisher. That’s part of why the reported interest in Moussa Diabate of the Charlotte Hornets makes sense.
Valanciunas does bring offense that most reserve bigs can’t match, but that’s not what the Knicks need from this spot. Drummond already gives them a similar kind of bruising presence on the offensive glass, and the front office doesn’t need to stack another slow-footed, limited rim protector into the same role.
Valanciunas graded out as a net positive in points at the basket saved per 100 possessions last season, but it was the first time he had done that since 2021. He has never been comfortable guarding in space, and that isn’t likely to change in Year 15.
If the choice is between Drummond and Valanciunas, New York already made the better call by moving on Drummond. He and Valanciunas are similar on the boards, but Drummond has offered far more three-point volume. Neither player is exactly stretching defenses, yet Drummond’s willingness to take those shots matters more for preserving spacing when Karl-Anthony Towns sits.
The bigger point is that the Knicks do not need to rush into the first available option. They have room for two more veteran minimum contracts, and better fits could still surface before training camp.
If not, trade possibilities may open up later. New York’s lack of flexibility is real, but staying out of the second apron gives the team the ability to aggregate contracts, and the front office also has second-round picks it can use as sweeteners.
So if the decision comes down to Valanciunas or patience, patience wins easily. The Knicks should keep their options open and wait for something better suited to what they actually need.
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