The New York Knicks have been one of the East’s most intriguing teams this season, but if there’s one area that’s still raising eyebrows, it’s their depth at the center position. With the trade deadline fast approaching on February 5, the front office could be eyeing a move that doesn’t necessarily make headlines-but might make a lot of basketball sense.
According to reports, the Philadelphia 76ers are open to dealing veteran big man Andre Drummond. And for a Knicks team that could use a little more muscle and rebounding off the bench, that’s a name worth circling.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t the Andre Drummond of his All-Star Detroit Pistons days. At 32 and now in his 14th NBA season, Drummond isn’t the centerpiece of an offense anymore.
But that’s not what the Knicks need. What they do need is a reliable, physical presence who can hold down the paint when the starters sit, and Drummond has quietly been doing just that in a limited role for Philly.
In just 20 minutes per game, Drummond is putting up 7.0 points and 8.9 rebounds-including 3.5 on the offensive glass. That’s elite-level rebounding production in a short burst, and it’s exactly the kind of grit-and-grind interior work that could help stabilize New York’s second unit.
He’s also shooting 50% from the field and even sprinkling in some floor spacing this season, hitting 36.2% of his threes on light volume (1.3 attempts per game). It’s not his bread and butter, but it’s a wrinkle that defenses at least have to respect.
At 6-foot-11 and 280 pounds, Drummond brings the kind of physicality that can wear down opposing bigs. And perhaps most importantly, he’s been available-something the Knicks can’t say about all of their frontcourt options this season.
The team has leaned heavily on its stars like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, but behind them, the rotation at center has been thin and inconsistent. Drummond could plug that hole without requiring a major shake-up.
Now, from a cap perspective, this could be a smart play too. Philadelphia has reportedly been interested in keeping Guerschon Yabusele after a strong season, but financial constraints forced them to move on last summer.
A Drummond-for-Yabusele swap would be a near-even salary match for this season, but the long-term implications tilt in New York’s favor. Drummond is on an expiring deal, while Yabusele holds a player option for 2026-27-something that could complicate Philly’s books down the line.
If the Knicks were to throw in a second-round pick, that might be enough to get Philly to bite, especially if they’re looking to create flexibility for next summer. For New York, it’s a low-risk, high-upside move that addresses a real need without jeopardizing the core they’ve built.
This isn’t a blockbuster, and it won’t dominate the headlines. But sometimes, the best trades are the ones that simply make your team better in the margins. Andre Drummond could be that kind of move for the Knicks-quiet, calculated, and potentially crucial come playoff time.