The Knicks have been connected to several potential trade targets at the center position, notably Walker Kessler and Nick Richards, but bringing in a capable player to help reinforce Mitchell Robinson would be a perfect strategy.
The Knicks’ Reliability Question Around Mitchell Robinson
Depending on Robinson as the primary starter is a risky game, considering his injury history. When on the floor, the 26-year-old is one of the best defensive big men in the league, so his value is tangible, but his ability to stay healthy has deteriorated his value.
Robinson has only played over 70 games once in his career and featured in 31 regular season games this past season. He averaged 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks. He was excellent against Joel Embiid in the postseason, averaging 19.2 minutes and picking up 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Without him, the Knicks likely wouldn’t have gotten past the Philadelphia 76ers to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Exploring Options: Kessler and Richards as Potential Fits
However, his lack of reliability poses a problem for the Knicks, who wanted to retain Isaiah Hartenstein but could not match the three-year, $87 million deal the Oklahoma City Thunder coughed up in the end.
A player like Kessler might be a good option to pair with Robinson, who averaged 8.1 points and 7.5 rebounds this past season with the Utah Jazz. At only 22 years old, Kessler has plenty of upside long-term, but Richards could also be a solid asset for New York. The 26-year-old Jamaican native averaged 9.7 points and eight rebounds this past season, including a .691 field goal percentage.
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Strategic Planning for Future Seasons
Ultimately, the Knicks have options and plenty of first-round draft capital to utilize if they find a player they can help offset the eventual Robinson injury. In addition, they likely prefer to manage Mitchell’s minutes next season to try and mitigate any fatigue or injury probability in the first place.