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In order to cover for Isaiah Hartenstein’s departure via free agency, the New York Knicks are still searching for a new center. They would like to add some depth and size at the position with the final roster space they presently have. Mitchell Robinson will be the starting center for the time being, and Precious Achiuwa will most likely be a backup option as well.

Robert Williams III and Larry Nance Jr. have surfaced as possible Knicks targets.

Before the regular season began, John Hollinger of The Athletic listed a few viable candidates that the Knicks may consider, such as Atlanta Hawks big man Larry Nance Jr. and Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III.

The other person in Portland who theoretically meets all the requirements is Robert Williams III. Once more, that’s another one where the Knicks may want to wait to see whether he can play for more than a week or two at a time before extending the season,” Hollinger noted. “At a much lower level, Larry Nance Jr., who currently sits third on Atlanta’s depth chart and has an affordable $11 million expiring salary, is the player who makes some sense in this role behind Robinson and could probably be had.”

Larry Nance Jr. might add significant depth to the Knicks.

Considering that Atlanta doesn’t have a defined role for any of the two players named, Nance Jr. probably makes the most sense. After being dealt to the Hawks as part of the deal that sent Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans, Nance ended up there. Entering his tenth NBA season, the 31-year-old made a significant contribution for the Pelicans off the bench last year, averaging 5.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 61 games.

Nance could provide the Knicks with center depth in the case that Robinson or Achiuwa are injured, as well as some much-needed size in the second unit. In order to allow other guys extra rest, he might even play his way into some minutes in spurts. Since he is on an expiring $11 million salary and is unlikely to play much behind Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu in Atlanta, trading for him would make sense. In New York, however, Nance would have more playing opportunities due to their lack of size in the second unit.

Given his history of injuries, Robert Williams is a highly dangerous pick.
Regarding Williams, the other player Hollinger brought up, considering his lengthy injury history, the Knicks could be better off passing on a move for him. Over the previous two seasons, the 26-year-old has only appeared in 41 games during the regular season, including just six with the Trail Blazers the previous season following right knee surgery.

The danger of injury may be too high for the Knicks to transfer important players for him, despite the fact that he is one of the finest interior defenders in the game when healthy and would be a luxury to have on the second unit.

There’s no evidence as of yet that the Knicks are actively negotiating with Williams or Nance Jr. It is possible that they will contact these teams as the offseason goes on in an attempt to acquire a much-needed extra center to complete the lineup.