Knicks Named Landing Spot for Jazz Center

The New York Knicks could find a replacement at center.

Jeremy Brener | Jul 23, 2024

Apr 5, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Utah Jazz center Omer Yurtseven (77) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are still looking for a center after they lost Isaiah Hartenstein earlier this month in free agency, and options are drying out.

The Knicks may have to get creative and look where other teams may not, eyeing low-risk, high-reward options that could give them similar to what they got with Hartenstein two summers ago.

An NBA executive told Heavy reporter Sean Deveney that the Knicks should look at former Miami Heat and Utah Jazz center Omer Yurtseven.

“For what they need, he might be a really good fit,” an executive told Heavy. “His defense has always been a question mark, but they did a good job with Hartenstein on that and I think they could get there with him. Omer (Yurtseven), when we have seen him, very active on the glass, a pretty good scorer, and if you want someone you can bring off the bench and be a contrast to what you get with (Mitchell) Robinson, I think you’d have to consider him.”

Yurtseven, 26, played his first two seasons with the Heat before signing with the Jazz a year ago. While he wasn't a good fit in Utah, he flashed some potential while with Miami. In 56 games during his rookie season, Yurtseven averaged 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Heat. He dealt with an ankle injury in his second year, which led the Heat to move on from him.

In Utah, Yurtseven wasn't in a position to succeed with Walker Kessler in front of him on the depth chart. But now, with a new team, Yurtseven could bounce back in his NBA career.

The Knicks, more than any team, could be that fit for Yurtseven given the team's need for a rim protector and a center to work with in the pick-and-roll.

He may not be the sexiest name available, but Yurtseven may be what the Knicks need as a backup center, and that could be the piece New York needs to stay in the contender conversation.

Make sure you bookmark New York Knicks on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

Published Jul 23, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.