Roman Sorkin, Knicks
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Maccabi's Israeli forward Roman Sorkin dunks the ball against Barcelona during a Euroleague basketball match.
With their pursuit of Ben Simmons effectively off the table, the New York Knicks are turning their attention to international talent to strengthen a frontcourt that has been thin all season.
Israeli forward-center Roman Sorkin has emerged as a potential addition, catching the Knicks’ eye after an impressive showing at the 2025 EuroBasket.
Impressive EuroBasket Run
SNY’s Ian Begley reported that the Knicks, along with the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers, are interested in bringing Sorkin, 29, from Maccabi Tel Aviv to the NBA.
“After a strong showing in EuroBasket with the Israeli National Team, Maccabi Tel Aviv PF/C Roman Sorkin has garnered interest from POR, NYK and MIA per league sources. Sorkin, under contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv, was one of the top bigs in the Euroleague last season,” Begley wrote on X.
Sorkin averaged 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 51.4% from the field and 31.8% from three for Israel, which reached the Round of 16. He posted 15 points with six rebounds and two blocks in Israel’s knockout loss to Greece, holding his own against Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Israeli big man opened the tournament with a 31-point outing against Iceland.
In Euroleague play last season with Maccabi, Sorkin averaged 12.9 points and 4.1 rebounds. He went undrafted in 2018 after four years at Oregon.
A two-time Israeli league champion, Sorkin was named the regular-season and Finals MVP in 2024.
Knicks’ Frontcourt Needs
The Knicks’ frontcourt currently features Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson and untested second-year center Ariel Hukporti. That leaves the team short on depth, particularly if injuries strike, giving Sorkin a potential role as a rotation big.
New York sits $3.7 million under the NBA’s second-apron threshold after using its taxpayer midlevel exception to sign French forward Guerschon Yabusele. The team still has flexibility for one more veteran minimum deal and a second-round draft pick or an undrafted free agent.
Simmons Saga Overshadows Free Agent Search
Sorkin’s rise on the Knicks’ radar comes in the wake of the Ben Simmons drama. Longtime NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Simmons “passed on” a one-year veteran minimum deal from New York, though Begley clarified that the Knicks never made a formal offer.
Stein also reported that Simmons and his agent Bernie Lee, who represents Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler, have parted ways. According to the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, the split followed Simmons signaling he had no interest in the Knicks’ discussions.
Other Veteran Options
The Knicks are also considering other veteran free agents to round out the bench. Landry Shamet and former Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon are among the possibilities, according to Begley.
Shamet, 28, provided one of the few bright spots on New York’s struggling second unit last season, averaging 5.7 points and hitting 39.7% from three. Brogdon, 32, is coming off an injury-limited year in Washington, appearing in just 24 games while averaging 12.7 points, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds.
As the Knicks weigh their options, Sorkin presents a chance to add size and depth behind Towns and Robinson. For a team that has struggled to balance a top-heavy roster with reliable bench production, the international standout could help address a key need — all while the Simmons saga quietly fades from the headlines.