The Knicks are in trade talks with high-paid veteran centers, according to reports.
After signing franchise star point guard Jalen Brunson to a team-friendly agreement, the New York Knicks are looking for a backup center, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.
“Who will play backup center to Mitchell Robinson? He has a history of injuries, so you need a backup center who can start 30 games next season,” Begley stated on SNY’s SportsNight on July 13. “I know they’ve been in touch with Precious Achiuwa, their own free agent. I believe they’ve also held informal trade negotiations with several high-paid veteran centers on the trade market. So we’ll keep an eye on that.
Achiuwa, a power forward, had some success with the Knicks during the regular season while Robinson and Julius Randle were sidelined due to injury. However, at 6-foot-8, Achiuwa is undersized to guard Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kristaps Porzingis in the playoffs if Robinson is not available.
High-Paid Veteran Centers on the Trade Block
Clint Capela of the Atlanta Hawks and Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks are two high-paid centers who are available for trade.
As early as May 19, NBA insider Marc Stein stated that the Hawks were planning to make Capela available.
Capela, 30, has a contract worth $22.3 million that is about to expire. He averaged 11.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, including 4.6 on the offensive boards, which led the league.
Capela has played at least 70 games in two of his previous three seasons.
According to Gery Woelfel of Woelfelspressbox.com, the Bucks are willing to trade Lopez, 36, for a first-round selection.
After dealing away five first-round selections, four of which were unprotected, and a pick exchange with the Brooklyn Nets to get Mikal Bridges, the Knicks now only have a pair of protected first-round picks.
Lopez finished second in shot blocks last season, averaging 2.4 per game while scoring 12.5 points and grabbing 5.2 rebounds. He excels as a rim protector in drop coverages, but has struggled with switching defense.
Lopez, who is 7 feet 1, has a $23 million deal that is set to expire. He has been a consistent player the previous two seasons, appearing in at least 78 games.
Both Capela and Lopez, however, are starting centers for their respective clubs. It’s unclear whether the Knicks have conducted trade negotiations with them.
Two Young Centers on Knicks’ Radar
According to Michael Scotto of Hoopshype, the Knicks are also considering two young centers.
“The Knicks have also made inquiries on the trade market, showing interest in [Utah] Jazz center Walker Kessler, league sources told HoopsHype, along with Hornets center Nick Richards, as previously reported by HoopsHype,” Scotto said on July 2, 2018.
Richards, who is 7 feet tall, has developed dramatically over the previous two seasons with the Charlotte Hornets. He’s coming off his finest NBA season.
After averaging 8.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in 2022-23, his game improved this season.
Richards, who has a 7’4 wingspan, started 51 out of 67 games for the Hornets last season. As a starter, he averaged 10.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocked shots.
Kessler, on the other side, was tied with Lopez as the league’s second-best shot blocker, trailing only San Antonio Spurs’ legendary rookie Victor Wembanyama (3.6).
According to Begley, the Jazz are asking a high price for Kessler.
“I mentioned on Monday that Utah had been asking for at least one first-round pick in previous discussions with teams for Walker Kessler,” Begley told the press. “The Knicks have expressed an interest in Kessler.” I later learned that clubs had given Utah two first-round picks in the previous several weeks but were turned down.
