The Knicks’ third center search continues…
One of the biggest unresolved questions for New York Knicks fans is who will serve as the team’s third center behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond.
Coming into the offseason, many supporters probably expected the Knicks to either use a draft pick on a young big man or bring back Ariel Hukporti. Neither option materialized. Instead, New York signed Drummond in free agency to serve as Towns’ primary backup, leaving the team without much depth at the position.
Unfortunately for the Knicks, the free-agent center market has become extremely limited at this point in the offseason. Players such as Charles Bassey could potentially provide useful depth, while Moses Brown also would have been an intriguing option given his experience in both the NBA and G League.
However, Brown is no longer an option for New York after deciding to continue his career overseas.
According to ChnHoops on Instagram last week, Brown is set to play for Guangzhou in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Before reportedly agreeing to the move to China, the 26-year-old center was playing for Criollos de Caguas in Puerto Rico.
During his time there, Brown averaged 17.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while playing 24.1 minutes per game.
Knicks will have to take third center search elsewhere with Brown off the board
At 7-foot-2 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Brown would have made a strong candidate for the Knicks’ third-center role. He is an excellent rebounder, grew up in Queens, and played his high school basketball at Archbishop Molloy. He also has familiarity with New York’s front office from his previous time within the organization.
Brown spent the 2024-25 season with the Knicks’ G League affiliate in Westchester, New York, marking his second stint with the organization after also playing there during the 2022-23 season. The former UCLA big man put together a productive campaign, averaging 18.3 points and 16.8 rebounds over 26 games.
Regardless of the level of competition, consistently producing that kind of rebounding numbers is likely to earn a player an opportunity somewhere. Brown will now look to improve his value while continuing his career in China.
Before that, Brown spent last season with the Denver Nuggets’ G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold. He averaged 21.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game during his time there.
For the Knicks, however, the search for a third center could extend all the way into training camp. New York has yet to make any two-way signings, leaving open the possibility of using one of those spots on another big man.
The reigning NBA champions could also revisit their interest in Nick Richards, a player the Knicks have reportedly been connected to for several weeks. However, the fact that Richards remains unsigned while other teams have filled roster spots isn’t necessarily an encouraging sign.
Beyond Richards, the Knicks could consider former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman or Liam Robbins. Robbins, in particular, showed some encouraging flashes while playing for New York during last month’s NBA Summer League.
Another route would be for the Knicks to remain patient and monitor the situations with the Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans. Both teams have plenty of frontcourt depth and could eventually need to move a center before Opening Night.
With training camp and the preseason approaching, all eyes will be on Leon Rose and the Knicks’ front office to see how they ultimately address the final center spot on the roster.
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