Knicks Eyeing Frontcourt Depth: Could Marvin Bagley III Be a Fit Behind Mitchell Robinson?
Mitchell Robinson is doing exactly what the Knicks need him to do - dominate the glass. The 7-footer has been a force on the boards all season, and his 16-rebound performance against the Sixers on Friday night was just the latest example of the kind of physical presence he brings, especially on the offensive end. When he’s healthy, Robinson is one of the league’s premier rebounders, giving New York second-chance opportunities and anchoring the interior defense.
But that’s the key phrase: when he’s healthy.
Robinson’s injury history is no secret. He’s missed chunks of previous seasons, and with the playoffs in mind, the Knicks are looking to be proactive about managing his workload. That’s where the trade market comes into play - and one name being floated as a potential depth option is Washington Wizards big man Marvin Bagley III.
Bagley isn’t a lockdown defender by any stretch, but he brings something different to the table. He’s athletic, can finish around the rim, and has enough offensive polish to step in and contribute if Robinson - or even Karl-Anthony Towns - needs a breather or misses time. He won’t anchor a defense like Robinson, but he gives you something to work with on the offensive end, especially in bench units.
As James L. Edwards III noted, Bagley’s value lies in his consistency.
You know what you’re getting from him - a high-motor big who can score in the paint, rebound respectably, and run the floor. He’s not going to surprise you with elite defense, but he’s also not going to leave you guessing about his role.
For a third center, that predictability matters.
Bagley’s journey to this point has been anything but linear. After a standout freshman season at Duke in 2017-18, he was taken second overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2018 NBA Draft. That pick came ahead of names like Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - players who’ve gone on to become All-Stars and franchise cornerstones.
Bagley hasn’t reached that level, but that doesn’t mean he’s without value. Through 311 career games, he’s averaged 11.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game. Those are solid numbers for a rotational big, especially one who could be asked to fill in spot minutes during the grind of the regular season or in key playoff moments.
For a Knicks team with postseason aspirations and a frontcourt rotation that leans heavily on Robinson and Towns, adding a reliable backup like Bagley could be a smart insurance policy. He’s not a game-changer, but he might just be the kind of steady contributor who helps the Knicks weather the inevitable ups and downs of a long NBA season.