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The New York Knicks are trying to put the right pieces back together after winning the NBA championship a few months ago. They are not looking to make major changes to the core of their rotation, but they are searching for depth pieces that can help them make another championship run.
The backup to Karl-Anthony Towns is now Andre Drummond rather than Mitchell Robinson. The Knicks' former starting center signed with the Boston Celtics in free agency.
“Free agent center Mitchell Robinson, fresh off winning an NBA title with the New York Knicks, has agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million deal to sign with the Boston Celtics, with a player option in the third season, sources tell ESPN's Shams Charania. Robinson was the longest-tenured Knick and one of only two rotation players originally drafted by New York (Miles McBride being the other) who were heavy contributors in their championship run,” ESPN wrote.
New York has made it a priority to find a third center who can provide depth behind Towns and Drummond, but the team has not been successful so far. Very little has gone the Knicks' way when it comes to addressing the position.
“This has been an offseason of failed center acquisition attempts for the Knicks, with trades and signings gone wrong. Now, they're forced to weigh Backup Plans P-Z after the previous efforts fell short,” SI’s Isaiah De Los Santos wrote.
There are limited options remaining on the market, but De Los Santos believes the Knicks could pursue veteran Kelly Olynyk on a low-risk deal.
“Olynyk absolutely comes with his faults, with availability and a lack of defense presenting two legitimate worries. But as long as the Knicks can get him on a tryout deal, they won't be on the hook in case he doesn't work out. This allows them to reap the benefits of bringing him and playing him a good chunk of minutes during the preseason, without necessarily needing to move forward with him on the roster for opening night. There are still a couple of threats out there to give Olynyk the deal he's looking for, with teams like the Lakers firmly in the center market. But the 13-year pro could pounce on an offer from New York,” Santos wrote.
Getting Olynyk on a non-guaranteed deal would be a major opportunity for the Knicks. After all, he is coming off the least productive season of his career, so New York could evaluate him during the preseason without making a significant commitment.
Olynyk has made $121 million throughout his career. The Knicks are still looking to fill their final two roster spots, and they have been patient with those decisions. However, Olynyk could check nearly every box New York is looking for: experience, size, shooting ability and a willingness to accept a limited role. A low-risk opportunity could be exactly what both sides need.
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