knicks mitchell robinson The New York Knicks are facing a tough situation with their center rotation thinning out, as injuries and departures leave a gap in their roster. With Mitchell Robinson expected to be sidelined until December or January, and Isaiah Hartenstein no longer in the mix, the Knicks are under pressure to find a reliable big man. One potential target, Nick Richards of the Charlotte Hornets, has been on their radar, but recent reports suggest that the Knicks may be better off sticking with their current assets rather than making a hasty trade.
Should the Knicks Trade for Nick Richards?
Richards, who stands at 7 feet tall with a 7’4 wingspan, has been steadily improving over the past two NBA seasons. Coming off his best season yet, Richards averaged 10.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks as a starter for the Hornets last season. He’s on an affordable contract, currently in the second year of a three-year, $15 million deal, making him a viable short-term solution for the Knicks’ center woes.
However, James Edwards III, a new beat reporter for The Athletic, has raised concerns about the potential trade, which would likely involve giving up rising guard Miles McBride. Edwards cautioned that while Richards could fill an immediate need, McBride is a more valuable player in the long run. He wrote, “McBride is the best player in this deal, so I’d be hesitant to do this particular trade if I were running the Knicks’ front office.”
This hesitancy stems from McBride’s growing potential, especially on the defensive end, where he has shown promise as a key rotation player. Trading him for a backup center might solve one problem but could create another in the Knicks’ backcourt.
Knicks’ Alternative Plan: Weather the Storm
Despite Robinson’s injury, the Knicks are optimistic about their ability to stay competitive. According to Yaron Weitzman of Fox Sports, the team is committed to giving Robinson the necessary time to fully recover and has confidence in its current roster’s depth and versatility.
Coach Tom Thibodeau has also hinted at the possibility of experimenting with small-ball lineups, a strategy that could be viable with the additions of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges during the offseason. Thibodeau praised Anunoby’s ability to guard bigger players and suggested that Julius Randle could see some time at center this season.
“We have versatility, where we can play smaller at times because of OG’s ability to guard big. Julius and [Josh] Hart can guard big as well,” Thibodeau told NBA.com.
This shift toward small ball could help the Knicks match up against the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokic while Robinson is out. But it also places a significant burden on players like Randle, who may be asked to step into unfamiliar roles.
Trading McBride: Worth the Risk?
The potential trade for Richards raises a fundamental question for the Knicks: is addressing their short-term center crisis worth sacrificing the long-term potential of players like McBride? While Richards is a solid and affordable option, McBride’s development could be more crucial for the Knicks’ future.
With the season just around the corner, it seems the Knicks are inclined to wait out Robinson’s recovery and rely on their roster’s current depth rather than making any hasty decisions. Whether that patience pays off or leads to struggles against teams with dominant big men remains to be seen.
Conclusion: Knicks Must Weigh Immediate Needs Against Long-Term Strategy
The New York Knicks find themselves at a crossroads. While adding Nick Richards could temporarily solve their center issue, it may come at too high a cost with McBride’s promising potential on the line. As the season unfolds, the Knicks will need to find the right balance between addressing immediate roster holes and maintaining the flexibility to compete in the long run. For now, it seems the front office is content to weather the storm and explore alternative strategies, including embracing small-ball lineups and maximizing the versatility of their new acquisitions.
Only time will tell if this cautious approach will pay off or leave the Knicks regretting a missed opportunity.
