Should the Knicks look for outside help at the center spot with Mitchell Robinson’s season over, they will have plenty of options.
Mitchell Robinson’s season has come to an end.
The New York Knicks’ big man is expected to miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season after undergoing surgery on his ankle. It was reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania that the Knicks applied for a Disabled Player Exception worth $7.8 million. Teams only apply for a DPE if there is significant reason to believe that a player’s injury will sideline them until June 15, the day after Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Teams are able to apply for a Disabled Player Exception for a player it deems to be sidelined through June 15. NBA doctors will go through their review soon. Brutal for Knicks and Robinson. https://t.co/ybuoEazk82
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 21, 2023
While Jericho Sims is out for a few weeks due to an ankle injury, the Knicks currently have Isaiah Hartenstein stepping up and the recently re-acquired Taj Gibson filling in at the center. With that being said, it is reasonable to infer that New York is now seeking options to replace Robinson prior to the February 8 trade deadline in order to keep their season going.
So, who can the Knicks target to replace Mitchell Robinson?
Clint Capela
With the Atlanta Hawks’ extension Onyeka Okongwu, acquiring Capela can leave room for more playing time for the young, up-and-coming big man. Not only would the Knicks be picking up on a reliable rim protector, but this would also help the Hawks, who are currently below .500 (12-18), save money. Capela’s contract has one remaining year worth $22.3 million in 2024-25.
Capela currently averages 12.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game and shoots 59.3% from the field. The 6-foot-10 center is considered a lethal lob threat due to his stupendous vertical and wingspan of 7-foot-4.5. Capela has the combination of both stellar impressive hand-eye coordination while the ball is in the air and a fast pair of feet when jumping to retain ball possession.
He is a tremendous paint protector and a fearless interior defender and can also be quite the productive put-back player, punishing guards on the floor with second-chance points. In the 2020-21 season, Capela ranked higher in terms of put-back points (263 points) than the Denver Nuggets’ very own two-time MVP and NBA champion Nikola Jokić.
Andre Drummond
The Chicago Bulls’ veteran center signed a two-year, $6.6 million contract back in 2022, and has exercised his player option during the off-season in 2023. Despite Nikola Vucevic’s current injury, he typically serves as Chicago’s number-one center. Thus, Drummond could see more playing time if New York decides to pick him up as another center in rotation. The Bulls would also benefit from this in return since they too are below .500 currently (14-19) and it would allow them to add another set piece to retool their roster.
The two-time All-Star and four-time rebounding leader can unlock his impact in New York. He currently averages 6.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and shoots 53.0% from the field in the 2023-24 regular season. On Tuesday, Drummond started against the Atlanta Hawks while Vucevic was sidelined due to his groin strain. He dropped a spectacular double-double game knocking down 24 points and 25 rebounds, shooting 11-13 from the field. If it isn’t clear yet, the big man possesses major rebounding prowess and has averaged 13+ rebounds over his years in the league.
Not only is he a generational rebounder but he can help out offensively and accumulate second-chance points for his team. Within the seasons of 2015-16 and 2018-19, Drummond was leading in the most put-back points not once, not twice, but a total of three times in the league. Aside from scoring, Drummond is also a decent facilitator. He can generate buckets for his teammates and fast-break points whenever guards cut inside.
Day’Ron Sharpe
The 22-year-old Brooklyn Nets center was drafted in 2021 and the Nets have exercised a team option for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. This means that Sharpe will become a restricted free agent in 2025. The Nets’ overall record as of right now sits at just below .500 (15-16) in this 2023-24 regular season. While starter Nic Claxton displays phenomenal numbers as a center, so does Sharpe. The young player can unlock more minutes potentially if joined the Knicks.
Despite being only 6-foot-9 with a wingspan of 7-foot, Sharpe is a proficient rebounder off the bench. In addition, Sharpe’s vision in initiating fast breaks is exceptional. In transition, he can become an unstoppable force at the rim, dominating against smaller guards and securing boards effortlessly. Although Sharpe is facing limited minutes on the floor (19.2 minutes per game), he still managed to put down his second double-double in the last four games with a season-high of six combined steals and blocks.
Sharpe currently averages 7.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, shooting 55.6% from the field. While he doesn’t currently serve as a must-starter, he produces just enough for his team as a bench player, which is exactly what the Knicks need right now.
Wendell Carter Jr.
Carter is currently playing in his second year of the four-year, $50 million contract he signed back in 2021 with the Orlando Magic. The 24-year-old is expected to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025. Despite missing a substantial amount of playing time due to a left-hand fracture, Wendell is now back in action in the starting lineup for Orlando, which sports an 18-12 record, good for fifth in the Eastern Conference.
At 6-foot-10, Wendell averages 7.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, shooting 39.7% from the field in the 2023-24 regular season. The versatile big man who is comfortable playing both the power-forward and center position not only racks up rebounds but is considered as an offensive threat. He is a reliable shooter from both inside and outside the paint. Aside from collecting important rebounds, Wendell is a skillful playmaker and passer. Playmaking not only enhances his abilities as an overall player but also allows for emphatic ball movement amongst his teammates which is grossly seen through Orlando’s offense.
Other centers that New York could possibly look into as a replacement for Robinson include Bismack Biyombo, Nick Richards, Kai Jones, Goga Bitadze, Paul Reed, Isaiah Jackson, Jalen Smith, Kelly Olynyk and Duop Reath.
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Potential Trade Targets to Fill Mitchell Robinson's Spot - The Knicks Wall
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