The New York Knicks enter the 2024-25 NBA season with lots of optimism about adding Mikal Bridges to an already very talented core. Last season, they recorded 50 wins, made it to the Eastern Conference semifinals, and re-energized their fan base. Jalen Brunson delivered All-NBA performances, while midseason acquisitions like OG Anunoby elevated the team’s defensive capabilities.
While the big picture has lots of positives, the Knicks face questions at the center position. One of New York’s key losses this offseason was Isaiah Hartenstein, who signed a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. His departure leaves the Knicks shorthanded in the frontcourt, a concern that’s amplified by Mitchell Robinson’s injury.
Robinson, who underwent surgery on his left ankle in May, is expected to miss the start of the regular season and could return by December or January, as Yaron Weitzman of Fox Sports reported. The Knicks are being cautious with Robinson’s rehab, considering the ongoing ankle issues that hampered him last season. His rim protection and offensive rebounding have been pivotal to the Knicks’ defense, but his health has been a recurring problem, as he has missed significant time in recent years.
Betting Impact on the Knicks
With Robinson set to miss the first few months of the season, the Knicks’ outlook becomes less certain for bettors. On DraftKings Sportsbook, New York’s win total is set at 52.5, with the over at -120 and the under at +100. The team is also +950 to finish with the most regular season wins and +400 to secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Boston Celtics at -105. For those betting on playoff seeding, the Knicks are +130 to finish over 3.5 in seeding and -160 for under 3.5.
Robinson’s absence raises questions about the Knicks’ ability to maintain their strong defensive presence, given his importance as a rim protector. New York could struggle to control the paint against top centers like Joel Embiid. However, there are some factors to consider about how New York will approach the situation, including looking at external options on the trade market.
Potential Trades for Depth
The Knicks are reportedly exploring trade options to bolster their center depth. Also reported by Begley, the team previously held trade talks with the Atlanta Hawks regarding Clint Capela. While nothing materialized, the Knicks monitoring other potential trade targets, such as Nick Richards of the Charlotte Hornets, Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz, and Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers. Jonas Valanciunas, who signed with the Washington Wizards this summer, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate.
While these options could provide much-needed depth, the Knicks must manage their roster carefully until a deal is finalized. Any trade would likely occur closer to the deadline, meaning the team will need to rely on internal options to start the season.
Jericho Sims Ready to Step Up?
Aside from the undersized Precious Achiuwa, one of the Knicks’ internal center options is Jericho Sims, who has had his first healthy offseason since entering the NBA. According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Sims dealt with surgeries in the last two offseasons—on his shoulder and thumb—that hindered his development. Sims has been working on his offensive game with former NBA guard Mike Bibby, emphasizing mid-range jumpers and post moves to expand his skill set.
Sims is seen as an elite athlete capable of defending the pick-and-roll and mobile enough to handle stretch bigs. However, his offensive game remains limited, and he has yet to show consistency. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau expressed optimism about Sims’ potential impact, particularly on defense.
“Sims has shown he can defend at a high level, and he gives us a lot of flexibility with his athleticism,” Thibodeau said. “He had the best defensive rating among our centers last year, and I think with a full offseason, he’s ready to take the next step.”
Still, the offensive concerns persist. Sims’ one-dimensional skill set was an issue last season, and Thibodeau acknowledged that the Knicks need him to grow in that area.
“He’s worked on expanding his game, and that’s something we’ll need,” Thibodeau added. “But his ability to protect the rim and defend in space will be critical for us, especially early in the season.”
Julius Randle’s Role at Small-Ball Center
Another solution the Knicks are exploring is utilizing Julius Randle more as a small-ball center. Randle has experience playing center in short stretches, and Thibodeau has expressed openness to this strategy. However, the coach also admitted that relying too heavily on Randle in that role could wear him down physically.
“We’ll probably do it by committee,” Thibodeau told NBA.com. “We have versatility, and Julius can play the 5 in certain matchups. But I don’t want him doing it for long stretches. We need to balance his minutes to keep him fresh.”
Playing Randle at center could create offensive mismatches, particularly against slower-footed big men, but it also leaves the Knicks vulnerable on the defensive end, where Randle lacks the rim-protection instincts of a traditional center like Robinson. Thibodeau acknowledged the potential benefits and risks of this approach.
“Julius is a unique player,” Thibodeau said. “He creates mismatches, but we have to be mindful of how much physicality we expose him to. It’s a long season, and we need him healthy for the playoffs.”
Knicks’ Regular Season Outlook Looks Less Appealing
The Knicks face significant uncertainty entering the season regarding the center position. Robinson’s injury recovery, combined with the loss of Hartenstein, leaves a void that must be addressed. Bettors on DraftKings Sportsbook should factor these challenges into their decisions, as the team’s early-season performance without Robinson could impact their odds of hitting win totals or securing high playoff seeding.
While Sims and Randle offer potential solutions, the Knicks may still need to make a trade to solidify their center rotation. Achiuwa will need to step up otherwise, along with the rest of the options deployed at this spot.
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