The New York Knicks are facing a big challenge this summer. They have lost Isaiah Hartenstein, one of the best backup centers in the NBA, who is now playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. His departure leaves a noticeable gap in the Knicks’ lineup, and head coach Tom Thibodeau has shared his thoughts on how to fill that void.
In a recent interview with NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner, Thibodeau discussed how the team plans to replace Hartenstein’s contributions. He stated that they will most likely take a collective approach, with Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa stepping forward to take on greater responsibility.
“When he [Mitchell] went out, Jericho Sims started initially, then he got hurt,” Thibodeau said. “Then Isaiah came in and did what he did. But when he got hurt, Precious [Achiuwa] came in along with Taj Gibson. So we rotated guys at that position the entire year. We’ll probably have to do it by committee. We’ll look at some different things because we have versatility — we could see Julius more at the 5. I don’t want to do that for long stretches, it would take its toll, but to have him do it for 10 or 15 minutes, I think he can do it well.”
Thibodeau also hinted at the idea of using Julius Randle at center, especially in small-ball lineups. Randle’s scoring and rebounding abilities will provide the Knicks coach with numerous alternatives, but Thibodeau acknowledged the physical toll it may have on the veteran forward. But Thibodeau acknowledged that while this strategy would not be ideal for long stretches, it could be effective in particular matchups. Knicks fans will have to wait and see if their risk pays off.
Hartenstein’s role became crucial last season as Mitchell Robinson struggled with injuries. Now, Robinson’s health will be key in determining how successfully the Knicks handle Hartenstein’s departure. If Robinson can stay healthy and consistent, the Knicks may not need a big man on the bench.
With Hartenstein’s departure, many questions if the Knicks look for a backup center as the trade deadline approaches. Will Thibodeau turn to the transfer market if Sims and Achiuwa fail to fill the void? Only time will tell.
