The New York Knicks will be without Mitchell Robinson for the early part of the season as he recovers from ankle surgery for a stress fracture sustained in April. SNY’s Ian Begley reports that Robinson may not return until December or January. During the offseason, The Athletic’s James L. Edwards noted that the Knicks have been monitoring Charlotte Hornets’ center Nick Richards, who could provide rebounding, size, and interior scoring off the bench. His skill set aligns well with head coach Tom Thibodeau’s system, but a potential trade involving Miles McBride might make a deal unlikely.
Without Robinson, the Knicks are thin at center, especially after Isaiah Hartenstein’s departure to Oklahoma City. In a recent interview with NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner, Thibodeau mentioned the possibility of using Julius Randle at center for short stretches, as well as giving more minutes to Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa.
Despite the challenge, the Knicks are positioned as strong contenders in the Eastern Conference, bolstered by the addition of Mikal Bridges. While Robinson’s health is crucial to their success, acquiring Richards could be a smart move if the price is right, ensuring more depth in the frontcourt.