Knicks guard Mikal Bridges drives past Andre Drummond during the 2026 playoffs
Knicks guard Mikal Bridges drives past Andre Drummond during the 2026 playoffs
The Knicks signed two centers to training-camp deals, yet they may still need another one before the season begins. James L. Edwards III reported that adding center insurance through free agency or a trade would not be surprising. At the moment, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond are the only centers on standard contracts.
The camp competition does not erase the depth issue. James Wiseman and Drew Eubanks can earn a spot, but neither arrived with a guaranteed standard deal. I would take the center problem seriously even if one of them looks good in preseason. A defending champion should not be an ankle tweak away from asking its starters to cover every frontcourt minute.
A Knicks camp win may not finish the job
Wiseman has the size and talent that made him the No. 2 pick in 2020, but he played only four NBA games for Indiana last season. Eubanks offers a different, more experienced look. Camp should tell Mike Brown who can help right now; it should not be treated as proof that New York has a full season’s worth of reliable depth.
The club brought Drummond in after Mitchell Robinson left for Boston. His role was already going to be larger than a routine backup assignment. If Towns misses time or gets into foul trouble, there is not much established center play behind Drummond on the current standard-contract roster.
Knicks center addition Andre Drummond sits with Joel Embiid during a 2026 playoff game
Drummond was with Philadelphia at the time. Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
There is no reported agreement with another center and no reason to claim a trade is imminent. Edwards’ report is about the roster need and what New York may still do, not a completed transaction. The Knicks can use camp to see whether Wiseman or Eubanks is a workable answer, then decide if the market offers someone better.
The front office has time before opening night. It does not have the same margin for a mistake that it had when Robinson was still behind Towns.