Assessing the Knicks’ Need for a Third Center and Evaluating Options

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on May 20, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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The New York Knicks are aiming to defend their NBA title, but will need additional talent to succeed.

On Wednesday, Mitchell Robinson finalized a three‑year deal with the Boston Celtics, removing a key pillar from New York’s roster. The Knicks have bolstered their bench by re‑signing Mo Diawara, Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado, yet establishing depth at center remains a critical priority in today’s NBA.

It’s widely acknowledged that the Knicks are limited by the NBA’s second‑apron rule, constraining their ability to absorb a high‑priced center. After spending roughly $3.9 million on Andre Drummond, the franchise still feels thin at the position and retains the capacity to sign two veteran‑minimum players this summer.

While the available choices are not wildly appealing, New York’s front office has demonstrated an ability to find value. The team need not acquire a franchise‑center immediately; with February trade eligibility still ahead and roster flexibility in place, they can afford to be patient. The acquisition of Jose Alvarado, for instance, proved how a savvy signing can revive a season.

Kevon Looney

Kevon Looney fits several criteria that could make him an attractive third‑center candidate. He boasts a résumé of championship success, having won titles with multiple teams, and previously teamed with Knicks head coach Mike Brown. Their relationship later turned competitive when Brown found himself coaching against Looney in Sacramento. “A lot of people say that Steph’s 50‑point performance was Game 7 was our downfall. But Steph is a great player. It’s going to be hard to stop Steph,” Brown told Sportskeeda. “I’ve been a part of many NBA championships with Steph knowing that everybody is gameplanning to stop him. He still goes and gets his. Where we lost that series is the rebounding department. Kevon Looney has a heck of a series. In that Game 7, if we could’ve controlled the boards, even with Steph’s 50, I thought we’d have a much better chance of winning the game.” While Looney cannot match Mitchell Robinson’s impact, he offers a solid alternative. His offensive rebounding rate has consistently placed him in the top 20 percent of big men over the past five seasons—a tenacity that aligns with the Knicks’ recent center‑depth philosophy.

Nick Richards

Nick Richards has been mentioned as a potential third‑center option for the Knicks. The 28‑year‑old has moved between franchises after an promising start with Charlotte, yet maintains a high offensive efficiency, shooting above 60 percent true shooting in four of his six NBA seasons. This efficiency eclipses Kevon Looney’s numbers, and his career rebounding percentage sits roughly in line with that mark.

The drawback with Richards, however, lies in his overall on‑court impact. Despite his efficient shooting, his career offensive rating remains sub‑par, indicating limited contribution beyond the moments he scores. Defensively, while he possesses decent size, he does not provide strong rim protection, which can leave the Knicks vulnerable to high‑percentage interior threats.

Maxi glue

Maxi Kleber brings a distinct skill set to the table, differentiating him from other potential center options. He serves as a reliable three‑point shooter, knocking down over 35 percent of his attempts from distance throughout his career.

However, his résumé includes notable concerns. A substantial injury history has limited him to fewer than 50 games in each season since 2021‑22, and his rebounding percentages rank among the worst for players at his position, raising questions about his durability and glass‑clearing ability.

His three‑point proficiency could complement Andre Drummond, offering coach Mike Brown an unconventional matchup solution should Drummond’s production dip. While this combination could add strategic depth, acquiring a player with Kleber’s injury‑prone, low‑rebound profile would be an unconventional move for the Knicks.

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