Mitchell Robinson, Knicks
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Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks falls in the second half against the Miami Heat.
The New York Knicks’ push to fortify their roster ahead of the NBA trade deadline is extending beyond the backcourt.
While New York has been heavily linked to veteran guards in recent weeks, league insiders say the front office is also evaluating options in the frontcourt — particularly insurance behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, two veteran centers have emerged as available on the trade market: Phoenix Suns big man Nick Richards and Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III.
“But what about the Suns and Trail Blazers?” Fischer wrote Thursday in The Stein Line. “Both teams are known to have made a center available for trade: Nick Richards in Phoenix and Robert Williams III in Portland.”
The revelation underscores the Knicks’ two-pronged approach as the deadline nears: continue monitoring guard help while quietly canvassing the market for interior depth.
Knicks’ Trade Strategy Expands Beyond Guard Help
Fischer reported that New York’s internal discussions extend well beyond ball-handling depth.
“Chatter about the Knicks’ interest in veteran guard help has been prevalent since the offseason,” Fischer wrote, “but I also keep hearing that they have been exploring their options to bolster frontcourt depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson as well.”
Guerschon Yabusele’s $5.5 million salary remains New York’s most flexible trade chip, making it a potential vehicle in a multi-team deal or a smaller frontcourt addition.
That flexibility is critical for a Knicks team built around durability concerns at center — even amid a strong start to the season.
Knicks Among Teams Monitoring Nick Richards Trade Market
Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards
GettyNick Richards of Phoenix Suns slam dunks during NBA China Games 2025 between Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns at The Venetian Macao on October 12, 2025 in Macau, Macau.
One of the names drawing interest is Suns center Nick Richards.
NBA reporter Evan Sidery reported that the Knicks are among several teams that have checked in on Richards.
“The Celtics, Knicks, Nuggets, and Raptors are among the teams who have checked in with the Suns on Nick Richards,” Sidery posted on X. “Moving Richards for a smaller salary allows Phoenix to duck the tax altogether.”
Richards is in his second season with Phoenix but has seen his role sharply reduced. After averaging 22.7 minutes per game last season, he is now playing just 9.1 minutes per contest and has largely fallen out of head coach Jordan Ott’s rotation.
The Knicks previously monitored Richards when he was with Charlotte, particularly during Robinson’s recovery from foot surgery in 2024 — suggesting a longstanding organizational interest.
Robert Williams III Offers Upside But Comes With Health Risk
Robert Williams was floated as a potential trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers
GettyRobert Williams has rebounded from injury-plagued seasons in Portland.
Portland’s Robert Williams III represents a different type of gamble.
A former All-Defensive Second Team selection, Williams has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, appearing in just 26 total games across the previous two years. This season, however, he has been healthier — playing in 28 games and averaging 6.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 15.8 minutes off the bench.
Williams is on an expiring $13.3 million contract, making him both a short-term solution and a low-risk evaluation opportunity for any acquiring team.
While his defensive ceiling is higher than Richards’, Williams’ extensive injury history makes him a riskier bet for a Knicks team that prioritizes availability.
Why the Knicks Need Center Insurance
Robinson has been healthier this season, appearing in 28 games after playing only 17 last year. Still, durability remains a lingering concern. The 7-footer has not exceeded 31 games in either of the past two seasons.
Towns, meanwhile, has been a stabilizing presence, appearing in 37 of New York’s first 40 games after logging 72 last season.
Together, Robinson and Towns form the backbone of a Knicks team currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference and chasing its first championship since 1973.
But the margin for error is thin.
One significant injury could destabilize New York’s interior defense and rebounding — making frontcourt depth not a luxury, but a necessity.
Rather than reacting to a crisis, the Knicks are positioning themselves proactively.