Knicks Need Backup Center Help

The New York Knicks are in need of some depth.
Apr 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) during the fourth quarter of game 5 of the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) during the fourth quarter of game 5 of the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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The New York Knicks are struggling to figure out how things will look with their bench, and they are going to need help, especially at the center position.

ESPN insider Kevin Pelton explained why the Knicks need depth at the frontcourt spots.

"The Knicks are giving more than 74% of their minutes to their five starters, the highest percentage for any team in the NBA," Pelton writes. "That's nothing new for a Tom Thibodeau-coached team, and the Knicks' starting five has also been healthy, while their bench has been hit hard by injury. Backup centers Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson remain sidelined, while guard Cameron Payne has been out since Nov. 1 with a hamstring strain. Still, New York is going to need reinforcements to get through an 82-game schedule. Luxury-tax concerns have forced the Knicks to leave a roster spot open, but they did promote second-round pick Ariel Hukporti from a two-way contract last week. That move gave New York three 2024 draft picks on full NBA contracts, the most among last year's playoff teams."

The Knicks may have their answers in Achiuwa and Robinson, both of whom have yet to play for the team this season. However, if and when they do come back, the Knicks won't have much time to evaluate them and their fits. That's why it could benefit the Knicks to look around the league and try to find someone who could best fit their frontcourt, like Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Regardless of what direction the Knicks go in, they need to do at least something, because their current setup simply isn't good enough to make it a champion.

The Knicks are back in action tomorrow against the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.

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Jeremy Brener
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.