This week, New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged previous speculations regarding a radical method the team could take to address the center vacuum left by Isaiah Hartenstein’s departure.
The Knicks are just a few weeks away from starting training camp for the 2024-25 NBA season. And, for the first time — possibly since the 1990s — the squad enters the new season as a serious title contender. Last season, New York was the second-seed in the East, but a rash of injuries late in the season likely lost them a trip to the conference finals.
In the summer, they signed Nets standout Mikal Bridges, who will contribute to an already talented team. However, they did lose a key player when center Isaiah Hartenstein signed with the Thunder for a big salary in free agency.
His departure is remarkable not only because he was a defensive powerhouse, but also because he was an underappreciated offensive contributor. The Knicks have attempted all summer to add an impact player at center but have failed at each step. For the first several months of the season, they are likely to start Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Sims, and Precious Achiuwa at center.
New York Knicks’ head coach reveals plans to play Julius Randle at center.
However, there has been conjecture that three-time All-Star Julius Randle could play center. However, Thibodeau is a defensive-minded head coach who prefers a stout defender in the middle. Randle’s game has never been strong in this regard. However, the rumors may soon become reality.
“We could see Julius more at the 5,” Thibodeau told NBA.com’s Tim Ashburner this week. “I don’t want him to do it for lengthy periods of time because it would be exhausting, but for 10 or 15 minutes, I believe he can do it nicely. He’d also generate a lot of [offensive] advantages.
The Knicks coach mentioned his defensive concerns, but a small-ball lineup of Randle, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart or Donte DiVincenzo, Bridges, and Jalen Brunson could be dynamite, giving them a lineup that could rival the best offensive fives in the game while still having some strong defenders on the floor.
