As the New York Knicks gear up for the 2024-25 NBA season, their frontcourt depth is facing significant challenges. After an impressive second-place finish in the Eastern Conference last season, the Knicks look poised to build on their success, having added star forward Mikal Bridges to complement their established core of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. However, a critical concern has surfaced: the team’s depth at center has thinned out, leaving head coach Tom Thibodeau with tough choices as the season approaches.
The Knicks’ center position took a hit this summer when they lost Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hartenstein, who started in various stretches for New York last season, was lured away by a lucrative three-year, $87 million contract with OKC. While Hartenstein’s departure was a blow, the news of starting center Mitchell Robinson’s extended absence after offseason ankle surgery only amplified the Knicks’ dilemma.
With Robinson sidelined until at least December or January, the Knicks face an early-season test. Robinson has long been a cornerstone of the team’s defense, and without him patrolling the paint, Thibodeau is left searching for answers. Enter Kendrick Perkins, a former NBA champion and current ESPN analyst, who offered a rather unconventional solution to New York’s predicament on ESPN’s “NBA Today.”
According to Perkins, the Knicks may be better off in the short term by embracing a small-ball lineup, specifically suggesting that Julius Randle could fill in as the team’s temporary center. “Tom Thibodeau should have a sigh of relief right now,”Perkins noted, adding that this approach could actually propel the Knicks to new heights. While the idea of Randle anchoring the defense at the five may raise eyebrows, Perkins argued that it could create mismatches in the Knicks’ favor, especially on the offensive end.
Perkins elaborated on how Randle’s versatility could allow the Knicks to stretch the floor and give them an edge against more traditional big men. With Randle at center, paired with the athleticism of Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson, Perkins believes the Knicks could surprise the league and even aim for the best record in the NBA.
Randle’s defensive limitations raise doubts, but small-ball offers a path forward
However, not everyone is convinced. Randle, while an offensive powerhouse, has never been known for his defense or shot-blocking. Over his ten-year career, he has averaged just 0.6 blocks per game, and he underwent shoulder surgery in April that may limit his mobility early in the season. Critics have questioned whether he can effectively defend opposing centers, particularly those with more size and length.
Despite these concerns, Perkins’ suggestion of a small-ball lineup wasn’t without merit. In today’s NBA, where pace and space dominate, teams like the Golden State Warriors have shown that playing without a traditional center can be highly effective. If Randle can embrace a role as a mobile big who can switch on defense and contribute offensively from the perimeter, it could open up new possibilities for the Knicks.
Of course, Knicks fans had mixed reactions to Perkins’ bold take. Social media erupted with commentary, as fans questioned whether this strategy could really work. Some ridiculed the idea, while others expressed hope that Thibodeau might indeed try something new in Robinson’s absence. Still, the prospect of Randle at center remains a hot topic among the Knicks faithful.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether Thibodeau will heed Perkins’ advice and roll the dice on a small-ball approach. With reserve big men Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims also in the mix, Thibodeau has options, but none come without risk. As the Knicks prepare for a pivotal season, how they navigate this early challenge will be a major storyline in their quest to contend in the Eastern Conference.
