The Knicks are staring at a simple roster math problem: they’ve got 13 players under contract, and the NBA minimum is 14. With $3.3 million in space under the second apron, New York has enough room to add a minimum-contract player before next season arrives.
That doesn’t mean the 14th spot is just filler. The Knicks already have one of the best rosters in basketball, but there are still a few small places they could tighten things up.
A backup center. More three-point shooting depth.
A little more youth. Maybe even another veteran voice.
New York can go a few different ways here.
One option is Drew Eubanks, who has built a reputation as a dependable third-string center. That’s the role he’d likely step into with the Knicks as well.
Eubanks played 42 games for the Sacramento Kings last season after previous stops with the LA Clippers, Utah Jazz, and Phoenix Suns. He wouldn’t be a headline addition, but he would give the Knicks another center behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond.
Another name to watch is Ochai Agbaji. His NBA track record has been uneven from deep - one season he’s at 40%, the next he drops below 30%, which is what happened last year.
Still, he’s only 26 and just came off a rookie contract that included multiple team changes. A fresh start in New York could help him settle in, and if the Knicks can get more consistency out of him from three, he could become a useful low-cost piece.
Then there’s Kelly Olynyk, who would bring a different flavor to the spot. He can give the Knicks extra center depth while also offering veteran experience.
Olynyk spent last season with the San Antonio Spurs, where his shooting wasn’t especially sharp, though he also didn’t log many minutes. If New York wants a bench veteran who can slide into center minutes when needed, he fits that description.
He may end up staying in San Antonio, but the Knicks could be in the mix.
In Other News...
Knicks Still Have One Possible Center Option Worth Watching
Nick Richards next stop is already drawing attention in New York. The veteran center signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Miami Heat, a move that gives Miami plenty of flexibility before the season begins and keeps Richards in a bit of limbo as training camp approaches. For the Knicks, it is the kind of situation worth monitoring, especially with the need for extra size behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond.
Richards has a track record that still makes him interesting if he reaches the open market again. Injuries cost him significant time last season, but before that he had already shown he could handle meaningful minutes and help on the glass during his run with the Charlotte Hornets. If Miami decides to move on, New York could be one of the teams watching closely for a chance to add another backup center option. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks May Need Veteran Insurance Before Their Next Roster Move
The Knicks are still navigating a roster puzzle that could stretch beyond one clean move. With limited cap space and only a few spots to work with, New York has been weighing veteran insurance as it looks ahead to a potential trade for a young center, and Bruce Brown has emerged as a logical fit on the margins of that plan.
Browns appeal is obvious for a team trying to stay flexible. He is an unrestricted free agent, has made clear he likes New York, and brings the sort of dependable experience that can help cover the edges while the front office keeps hunting for bigger upgrades. The tricky part is finding the right sequence of moves, since any path to adding a center could force the Knicks to make uncomfortable choices elsewhere on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Still Have One Obvious Roster Hole Before Camp
With training camp approaching, the Knicks are still looking at the center spot as one of the few areas that could use another body. Ariel Hukportis departure left a gap in the frontcourt mix, and while Andre Drummond is now on the roster, the front office is continuing to weigh whether it needs more insurance behind the bigs before camp opens.
One name in the conversation is Taj Gibson, who was recently waived by the New Orleans Pelicans and is now available. New York is also keeping tabs on other center options, including Drew Eubanks and Julian Reese, as it sorts through veterans and younger players who could fit the roster without forcing an early commitment. No move has been made yet, but the Knicks appear to have at least one spot they still want to settle. [Read more 🡒]