When the Knicks set their regular-season roster, that still doesn’t mean the frontcourt picture is finished. All signs continue to point toward New York chasing another center, one who offers more than the current mix of Tony Bradley, James Wiseman, and Drew Eubanks.
That need looks even sharper because Andre Drummond brings defensive limitations of his own. Add in the unexpected standoff between Karl-Anthony Towns and the organization in extension talks, and it’s easy to see why New York would want a more reliable backup plan behind Towns. A reserve big isn’t going to replace him, but landing one under contract beyond this season would help the Knicks prepare for the nightmare scenario.
The catch is timing. The market for available centers usually doesn’t loosen up right away, and teams generally wait until the unofficial start of trade season on December 15 unless their 2026-27 season starts falling apart early.
So for New York, the early-season scoreboard matters. The Knicks should be rooting for certain teams to stumble out of the gate, because that’s how trade possibilities start to crack open.
Charlotte is one place the Knicks will be watching closely. The Hornets are in a strange spot after their LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges trades.
Nobody expects them to contend, but there’s a belief they might be more dangerous in the short term if they lean into a more balanced approach and improved spacing. If that version doesn’t show up, Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner become easier to pry loose.
Neither is untouchable with Naz Reid and Hannes Steinbach already in the mix, but a rough start in the loaded Eastern Conference would make Charlotte more willing to deal.
Memphis is another team that could change the market quickly. The Knicks could at least kick around the idea of using their 2033 first-round pick on Zach Edey, though his two-year availability leaves plenty of questions.
That discussion stays mostly hypothetical as long as the Grizzlies remain a mystery. If they get blasted early, though, things get interesting.
Memphis may not be banking on immediate wins, but if a frontcourt pairing of Edey and Cam Boozer proves too unathletic to hold up, Edey could become available.
Phoenix also belongs on the list. Khaman Maluach is the apparent center of the future there, which makes Oso Ighodaro the kind of name that could surface if things go sideways.
He’s not a traditional 5, but his screening, passing, and defensive versatility make him useful. He has limitations, especially on the glass and as a scorer, yet he clearly lifts the players around him.
The Suns’ on-off numbers back that up. As long as Phoenix is trying to win, Ighodaro probably stays put.
But last season’s scrappy team thrived against below-.500 opponents, and that path gets tougher now with fewer teams tanking and the league already familiar with the way Jordan Ott’s group plays.
Portland is messy too, and that mess could create an opening. The Blazers have more centers than they can realistically play, and the potential Ja Morant fit makes the whole situation even more combustible.
It’s not hard to imagine them underachieving relative to last season. If that happens, Donovan Clingan likely stays off limits, and the Knicks don’t have the expendable contracts to chase Robert Williams III.
But Micah Potter fits the kind of swing New York could explore. Even a look at sophomore Yang Hansen would make sense, especially after flashes of stronger physicality and playmaking in summer league and G League play, even if his passing hasn’t fully translated yet.
Sacramento rounds out the group, and the Kings are the kind of team whose failure almost feels preloaded. Few would blink if they started 2-8 or 1-9, and if that’s the case, the pressure only builds around Domantas Sabonis, whose value probably won’t be getting a boost.
If Maxime Raynaud is still the primary backup, the Knicks would have a reason to call about Dylan Cardwell. He’s limited on offense to the point that defenses barely have to account for him, but he can pass out of the short roll, which fits well in New York’s spacing.
He also brings defensive toughness, work on the offensive glass, and a contract that runs for a combined $7.4 million through 2028-29.
Kangz.
In Other News...
James Wiseman May Have Forced His Way Into Knicks Final Roster Spot
James Wiseman arrived in camp on an Exhibit 9 deal, the kind of low-risk signing that usually reads more like an invitation than a guarantee. But as preseason has rolled on, the former No. 1 pick has given the Knicks reason to pay closer attention, especially after a double-double that added some real weight to his push for a roster spot.
The Knicks do not have many openings to work with, and the back end of the roster is still very much in play. Still, Wiseman has at least put himself into the conversation as a possible third center, and Mike Browns previous experience coaching him only adds another layer to a decision that could come down to fit as much as upside. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Roster Battle Took Shape In A Blowout Fans Can Ignore
The Knicks trip to Toronto was the kind of preseason loss that barely registers in the standings but can still matter in the back of the roster. New York fell to 0-4 with its top-seven players unavailable, leaving the game to serve more as an audition than an evaluation of the teams real rotation. From that angle, the focus turned to the active players who got extended looks, including Nickel, Eubanks and Wiseman, and what they showed in a game that was never really about the final score.
What made the night worth watching was less the blowout than the way it sharpened the roster conversation. The Knicks are still sorting through which fringe pieces can help beyond camp, and this matchup offered a clearer view of strengths and weaknesses than a typical preseason box score ever could. Even with the result fully detachable from the standings, performances like these can still leave a mark on how the final decisions get made. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Still Face One Roster Decision That Could Change Their Bench
With one roster spot still open, the Knicks are weighing a decision that could shape the balance of their bench heading into the season. The choice comes down to James Wiseman and Bruce Brown, two very different players who would fill different needs as New York rounds out the back end of the roster.
Browns experience and defensive versatility stand out as obvious selling points for a team looking to tighten up its second unit. There is also a path, at least in theory, for the Knicks to keep both if they work out a trade involving Pacme Dadiet and second-round draft picks before the season opener, which would give the front office a little more flexibility while leaving this final roster call unresolved. [Read more 🡒]