The Knicks still need another center, and Nick Richards has emerged as a logical name to watch. The problem is that New York may not be alone for long.
After losing Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti this summer, the Knicks’ frontcourt depth has already taken a hit. Karl-Anthony Towns and newly signed Andre Drummond can handle the middle, but the roster still looks short on a third big. That need became even more obvious over the weekend when the Mavericks matched the two-year, $4.7 million offer the Knicks reportedly made to restricted free agent Moussa Cisse.
With Cisse no longer available, Richards stands out as a strong fit. He brings size, mobility and rim protection, and he has put together a steady run over the last four seasons with averages of 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.7 defensive rebounds and 1.0 blocks while shooting 61.8% from the field in 237 games, including 109 starts.
But landing him may not be simple.
The Heat are expected to be in the mix, and president Pat Riley said just last month that Miami wants another center who is “athletic and a rim protector,” a description that fits Richards well. Miami also has more than $10.1 million in first-apron space remaining, according to Spotrac, while the Knicks are $9.3 million above the limit.
The Lakers are another threat. They’ve already reshaped their center rotation this offseason, moving from Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes to Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney. Even with that change, Richards could still appeal to Los Angeles general manager Rob Pelinka, especially since Looney is only 6-foot-9 and Richards would add more size to the front line.
Los Angeles has been connected to Richards for some time. In June 2025, NBA insider Michael Scotto reported that both the Lakers and Knicks showed interest in trading for him when he was with the Suns. ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel also reported that the Lakers checked into a possible trade before the 2024-25 season.
The Lakers are $10.5 million away from crossing the first apron, so they still have room to make a move.
New York does have one possible advantage: Richards’ background. He attended high school in New York and New Jersey after coming to the United States from Jamaica, so the local angle is there if the Knicks want to sell it. The chance to help the Knicks chase a second straight title could matter, too.
Even so, the biggest issue may be owner James Dolan and the team’s spending limits. He has tried to keep the franchise under the NBA’s second apron, and that could make it tough for the Knicks to put together the kind of offer Richards might draw elsewhere.
He looks like the kind of center New York needs. Whether the Knicks can actually get him is another story.
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