Knicks Have NEW Backup Center Target... | Knicks News | The Knicks Recap Podcast

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Even though The Knicks just signed Andre Drummond to be their backup center, they're not done yet. New York has their sights set on a new target for backup center to add more center depth to this team. And we have all of the latest details. We're going to break down all of these latest reports today.
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The Knicks are targeting a new backup center. The Knicks continue their search for more center depth via free agency.
Even though the Knicks just signed Andre Drummond, New York still has plans to add another center to this team. And here's the new target that they're looking at. Check out these latest reports.
Shout out to Ian Bagley for giving us this following information. According to him, Jonas Valanciunas is on the Knicks radar as a third center option if he becomes available. Third center option if he becomes a free agent. And Bagley continued by stating this, The Knicks were in the center market after Mitchell Robinson left for Boston. And they have found their backup five replacement for Robinson on Friday, after agreeing to terms with veteran center Andre Drummond. Most recently, he played with the Sixers. And Drummond, they think he brings great veteran experience. They get him on the vet minimum, because even though he signed for 3.9 million, he's only hitting the cap at around 2.45 million. They remain well under the second apron, about 6.2 million in room there. And so, what do they do with that room? Jonas Valanciunas. If he becomes a free agent, they see him as a potential third center behind Drummond. Still a few moves to make, but the Knicks answered the big question mark here by landing Andre Drummond. Again, for the vet minimum one year deal, this is your Mitchell Robinson replacement. The Knicks interest in Jonas Valanciunas, it goes back to last season, even the season before that. Leon Rose has always had interest in adding Valanciunas to this team. And Ian Bagley, he's not the only insider confirming these reports. Shout out to James L. Edwards with The Athletic for giving us this following information. According to him, the Knicks have a little more competition in the backup center market, with the Lakers dealing Ayton. One name I'm hearing to watch for with New York if he gets waved by Denver is Jonas Valanciunas. The Nuggets just added Marvin Bagley, and Bagley was an option for New York before he signed over there. Edwards continues by stating the following, I still think New York continues to scan the trade market for a backup center, but I wouldn't be surprised if they and Valanciunas come together as long as he wants to stay in the NBA.
Now, the main reason he's saying that is because the word around the NBA is once Valanciunas gets waved, he will be joining an overseas team. He will not remain in the NBA. However, if the reigning defending champions, the New York Knicks, if they're the ones calling him, maybe he changes all of his plans, he stays with the NBA, and he joins the New York Knicks. But he's not the only option the Knicks are looking at in free agency regarding adding more center depth to this team. They're also looking at another name. Shout out to Sleeper Knicks for giving us this following information. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, he states the following, In addition to potentially being interested in Jonas Valanciunas, the Knicks have not ruled out Kevon Looney. He also adds that the Knicks are still interested in adding another center for added front court depth. The main thing we need to look at right now regarding adding more players to this team is how much money the Knicks have left before they hit the second apron. Thankfully, I have that number for you guys.