The Knicks were already thin at center with the loss of Isaiah Hartenstein in the offseason. Making matters even worse for them, Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is expected to be out until at least December or January, as first reported by Yaron Weitzman. 

The Knicks do have some internal options that can fill in for Robinson. They re-signed backup Precious Achiuwa, Jericho Sims is back and head coach Tom Thibodeau could go with more small ball units. None of those are great full-time options, though, and New York should be looking to add some center depth. 

The Knicks are limited in the types of trades that they can make. They cleared out most of their war chest of picks by trading for Mikal Bridges. They have protected first-round picks from the Pistons and Wizards that will likely turn into second-rounders once they convey, pick swaps and second-rounders to offer. They’re also over the first apron, meaning they can’t take back more money in a trade they send out. 

Given those constraints, it becomes increasingly difficult to find trades that make sense for the Knicks and teams involved. Here are three that might work.

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Three perfect center trade targets for Knicks

Clint Capela, Hawks

Capela is still a solid starting center at the age of 30. Injuries limited his effectiveness last season, but he’s a great roller, shot-blocking threat and one of the best offensive rebounders in the league. He would fit with Thibodeau’s style of play. 

The Knicks have already talked to the Hawks during the offseason about Capela, per SNY’s Ian Begley. Those talks could heat up with Robinson’s injury. 

Capela’s $22.3 million expiring salary means that the Knicks would likely have to include Julius Randle as part of any deal.

Here’s how a trade might look:

It would be tough for the Knicks to part with Deuce McBride, who has been a rugged defender and good scorer for them. That would make him a nice pairing next to Trae Young. 

Larry Nance Jr. would give the Knicks more center depth. He’s a good small ball big who is capable of guarding multiple positions. He’d be a nice added weapon at the end of games. 

This is a low return for a player like Randle, but the options are fairly limited when you look at how few teams are in need of his services. 

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Robert Williams, Trail Blazers

Williams was one of the most promising young centers in the league while on the Celtics, making the 2022 All-Defensive team. He hasn’t seen the court much in recent years due to recurring knee injuries. He tore a ligament in his right knee that had him miss almost all of Portland’s 2023-24 season. 

The Knicks are expected to be among the teams monitoring Williams, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Williams’ role is even more redundant given that the Blazers used their No. 7 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to select center Donovan Clingan. 

Here’s a potential trade: 

Williams and Robinson are similar players. Both are great defenders and play finishers, both are 26 years old and both make roughly the same amount of money over the next two seasons. Each player’s health has been a question mark as well.

The Blazers aren’t going to be good this season. Williams’ health is always a gamble, but if he’s healthy enough to go at the start of the season, it may make sense to do this swap. 

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Nikola Vucevic, Bulls

The Bulls are retooling their roster to get younger. They also owe a top-10 protected pick to the Spurs that they’d like to keep, so there is a strong incentive to trade their veterans. 

Vucevic has declined considerably since his All-Star days in Orlando. His shooting in particular has fallen off a cliff. But he’s still a good defensive rebounder, has great touch in the post and is a solid passer. He can provide adequate play as a starting center. 

Vucevic’s $20 million salary means that Randle would have to be part of this deal, too. The Bulls don’t have any use for him, so this would have to be a three-team trade.

Here’s a potential format: 

Giving up Randle for Vucevic isn’t a fair trade talent-wise for the Knicks. They might consider it anyway because it rebalances their roster and saves them a ton of money off the tax. Also, they’d generate a trade exception that they could use to add another player down the line. 

This would be a great move for the Bulls. They’d get off Vucevic’s money a year early and pick up a nice prospect in Marcus Sasser. The question would be if the Pistons would want Randle. It’s a low cost and they showed by acquiring Tobias Harris in the offseason that they want veterans who can prevent last year’s 14-68 disaster from reoccurring. 

If the Pistons did say yes, then the Knicks could get a former two-time All-Star to add to the fold.