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New York Knicks should target 14-year NBA veteran in free agency to round out Mike Brown’s rotation

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Jul 24, 2025 4:30 PM ET

The New York Knicks have had a busy offseason, adding Mike Brown, Jordan Clarkson, and Guerschon Yabusele, although they could pick up an overlooked center in free agency to round out their roster.

After losing in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the New York Knicks brought back largely the same roster. Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele upgraded the bench unit, although the core of stars largely remains the same.

The Knicks are relying on new head coach Mike Brown being able to continue the momentum Tom Thibodeau established, and take the next step, getting New York back to the Finals for the first time since 1999.

While the Knicks look improved, teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, and even Atlanta Hawks can’t be discounted, and New York must address a key weakness.

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Knicks need injury insurance in the frontcourt

While the Knicks are confident in Ariel Hukporti’s ability to take the next step and be a key part of the frontcourt rotation.

Between Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Hukporti, New York has three bona fide NBA centers who can score, rebound, and defend, although they all share a major concern: durability.

Hukporti has already suffered a torn meniscus, Robinson has missed 43% of possible games over the last three seasons, and even though Towns played in 72 games last season, he has long been injury-prone.

“The question of how well this team can defend with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will persist,” wrote The Athletic’s Law Murray. “New York should still add a couple more players, especially in the frontcourt and on the wing.”

With a clear need for an emergency backup defender, the Knicks could take a flier on a cheap free agent.

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Bismack Biyombo would be an underrated signing

While Tristan Thompson, another free agent, has played under Brown before, Bismack Biyombo would provide the Knicks exactly what they need.

In 26 starts with the San Antonio Spurs last season after Victor Wembanyama was shut down, Biyombo posted 5.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, with 0.9 blocks for good measure.

Biyombo is not an elite defender by any means, but he can protect the rim and hold his own in the paint, which is all the Knicks can ask for with a third or fourth-string center.

The Knicks still have three open roster spots, and adding a low-risk veteran like Biyombo for the worst-case scenario would be the safe, smart move.

Biyombo has never played with any of the Knicks’ stars aside from Mikal Bridges, and he might be best-suited as an emergency mid-season signing if the Knicks run into injuries, but he fills their biggest needs and fits New York’s budget. This late in the offseason, the team won’t make a splashy move in free agency, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be effective.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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