The Knicks have a center question sitting right in front of them, and Jonas Valanciunas is the kind of name that deserves a real look.
Denver waived the veteran big man after carrying a $10 million salary with only $2 million owed, which puts him in the sweet spot for a contender hunting value. New York already brought in Andre Drummond, so this is not some emergency search for help in the middle. It is more about whether the Knicks want one more rugged body behind Karl-Anthony Towns before the options disappear.
Valanciunas gave Denver 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 13 minutes per game last season, and he shot 58.2 percent from the field. He is not the type to fly around the floor like a modern switch big, but he still does the dirty work that keeps a second unit from getting bullied: screens, rebounds, post strength, and enough force to make smaller defenders pay.
That is where the decision gets interesting for New York. The Knicks are trying to stay clear of apron issues, and Drummond already filled the cheap backup-center lane. So bringing in another veteran big only makes sense if the price stays light and the role is clearly defined from day one.
The fit, at least on paper, is easy to see. Drummond brings the chaos on the glass.
Towns is the offensive centerpiece. Valanciunas would be the steady, bruising half-court option who can soak up about 10 minutes when the matchup turns physical or foul trouble starts to shake up the rotation.
There is also a connection worth keeping in mind: Valanciunas has ties to Knicks president Leon Rose. That does not lock anything in, but in a thin market, relationships can matter at the edges.
The other wrinkle is that Valanciunas has overseas interest, so this can’t sit around forever. If he wants a bigger NBA role, New York may not be the cleanest landing spot. If he wants a title chase, a limited job, and a familiar front office, the Knicks have a reasonable pitch.
This is not the kind of move that changes a franchise. It is a bench call. But those are the calls that can matter once the season starts grinding, and a $10 million center available for cheap is worth more than a passing glance.
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