The New York Knicks’ center depth has raised concerns early in the season, especially with Mitchell Robinson expected to be sidelined until 2025, as reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. In light of their championship aspirations, the Knicks might seek to acquire a center before Robinson’s return.
A proposed trade from Jonah Kubicek of The Sporting News suggests sending Miles McBride and additional assets to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jonas Valančiūnas. This trade would allow the Knicks to add a traditional center who could either start alongside Karl-Anthony Towns or provide physicality off the bench. Currently, Towns leads the team in rebounding with 10.7 per game, while Josh Hart follows with nine, but no other player averages more than four. Valančiūnas, with a career average of 9.5 rebounds, could significantly bolster this area.
Valančiūnas recently signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Wizards and is considered tradeable, fitting the Knicks’ long-term vision with a favorable contract. However, McBride cannot be traded until December 15, which could hinder the Knicks’ efforts to improve their roster quickly.
Throughout the offseason, the Knicks expressed interest in trading for a center, with Walker Kessler being a notable target. Reports indicate that the Knicks made several attempts to acquire Kessler before ultimately trading for Towns.
While acquiring Valančiūnas could address their backup center needs, trading McBride might be challenging due to his strong performance. The Knicks must weigh the potential benefits of a backup center against the value McBride brings. Robinson, although recovering, has expressed optimism about his return, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing long-term health over a rushed comeback.
