The Knicks’ center situation has already started to look a little thin, and a fresh two-way option just hit the market.
New York has leaned on different looks behind Karl-Anthony Towns, but the early returns have made one thing clear: there’s room for another big body. Last season, through the Knicks’ first 12 games, third-string center Ariel Hukporti had logged 56 minutes. This year, over the same span, third center James Wiseman has played 26.
Hukporti’s number was helped along by the team sitting Mitchell Robinson on back-to-backs. Wiseman hasn’t had that same advantage, and Andre Drummond has been solid enough that the Knicks haven’t had to panic. Even so, Drummond hasn’t exactly turned the position into a strength, which is why New York is at least worth watching as other options surface.
One of them is Lawson Lovering, the two-way center the Lakers released this week after he went unclaimed on waivers.
“The Los Angeles Lakers are waiving two-way center Lawson Lovering, league sources told @hoopshype. The 7-foot center averaged 7.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in two games with the Memphis Grizzlies last season.”
Los Angeles didn’t give him much of a runway, and the move appears tied at least in part to the depth chart in front of him. Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jarred Vanderbilt were already blocking his path at the five, leaving little room for a less experienced big to stick.
For a Knicks team that values size, screens, rebounding and paint protection from its centers, Lovering fits the mold. He’s a true seven-footer with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, and his game is built around the basics: setting picks, rim-running, dunking, rebounding and making life harder at the rim. He’s not flashy, but he can do the heavy lifting that matters.
That profile lines up with what New York asks from its non-Towns centers. When Towns is off the floor, the Knicks are taking a risk at the position.
Drummond has been better than expected on the glass, and the Knicks would be in a tougher spot without what he brings. But the difference between him and Robinson is exactly where Lovering becomes interesting.
The Knicks have already shown they’re not chasing shooting from that spot. When Isaiah Hartenstein arrived in New York after showing some three-point touch with the Clippers, the Knicks passed on that style.
Drummond showed decent form from deep last season, but he’s taken only one three-pointer so far. Outside of Towns, New York wants its centers crashing the boards, not spacing the floor.
Wiseman, even with limited minutes, has been strong on the offensive glass per-36, grabbing 50% more than Drummond. He understands the assignment.
Lovering’s lack of shooting isn’t a deal-breaker when “don’t shoot” is part of the job description.
Towns has mostly kept the defensive standard he showed in last year’s playoffs, and Drummond’s basketball IQ and physicality have given the Knicks useful intangibles. Still, speed is speed, and that’s the area where Drummond can be exposed.
It may not matter much over 82 games, but the Knicks’ title path could again run through the Thunder, given the injuries Oklahoma City has dealt with. If New York is defending its championship in June and the moment comes down to one stop in Game 7, the question becomes how much trust the Knicks can place in Drummond’s foot speed if Towns lands awkwardly and they need a defensive answer.
Lovering doesn’t have to be better than Drummond or as complete as Robinson to be useful. And if you were betting on whether he or Wiseman is still in the league in 2030, Wiseman would probably be the safer pick.
But the Knicks have already seen how quickly a two-way center can become part of the conversation. On ring night, Hukporti got a warm welcome from the fans and former teammates in the building.
A year from now, Lovering could be the next one in that spot.
Getting him would likely mean moving on from Jaden Akins and opening up a two-way slot. With New York carrying a surplus of guards, that wouldn’t be a major loss. And if the Knicks want another possible answer to the center issues popping up early, Lovering is now there for the taking.
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