Going into the 2024-2025 playoffs, the New York Knicks were relying heavily on their longest-tenured player, Mitchell Robinson, to play crucial minutes at center. Thankfully, he made it through the postseason without sustaining any injuries, but that has not been the case in years past.
When healthy, Robinson is one of the elite defensive centers in basketball, a true rim protector and prolific rebounder. However, his availability can sometimes be put into question. Over the last three seasons, the 2018 second-round pick out of Western Kentucky has appeared in 107 of 246 possible regular-season games. Even with all that talent, New York needs an insurance plan in place.
Karl-Anthony Towns was featured at center for most of the season last year, but as the playoffs began, the Knicks moved Towns to the four, opting to play him at power forward with Robinson as the center due to his defensive prowess. As New York enters the 2025-2026 season, it appears that will remain the case. But what about the depth behind the two big men?
What Free Agent Center Can Provide the Knicks the Depth They Need?
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SNY's David Vertsberger recently wrote a piece regarding what the Knicks can do with their final veteran minimum spot. While he mostly listed backcourt players, one center made the cut: former Indiana Pacers center Thomas Bryant.
"One position the Knicks may want to heavily consider using this spot for is the center spot. Their current rotation is made up of Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti, and if they start the double-big lineup, this essentially leaves them one backup five to start the year." [Wrote](https://sny.tv/articles/5-potential-targets-knicks-last-veteran-minimum-spot) Vertsberger.
"They have interesting alternative options at the center like sliding newly-signed Guerschon Yabusele down a position or playing OG Anunoby there, and can always move Robinson back to the bench. However, signing a depth piece at the position like Thomas Bryant gives them more security in case injuries hit."
As Vertsberger states, the Knicks would be hard-pressed to rely on Towns, Robinson, and second-year player Ariel Hukporti, who missed a large chunk of time with a meniscus tear last season, as their only depth at the five. Bryant would give New York a safe, veteran option if any of their key bigs go down.
Bryant would supply the Knicks with a mish-mash of skills provided by Towns and Robinson. Defensively, he doesn't stack up to Robinson's capabilities in the paint but is still a large enough presence to deter drives to the rim. Offensively, New York fans should remember quite well what Bryant can do, as he showcased his ability in the Eastern Conference Finals to knock down long-range shots, shooting 75% from three in the pivotal Game 6 that wound up ending the Knicks' season.
If New York is concerned about the durability in their front court, they would be remiss not to attempt to at least supply themselves with an insurance plan in the case that one of their starters, or important depth pieces, goes down with injury.