Given that Mitchell Robinson is expected to miss the first couple months of the season, the New York Knicks require a defensive presence in the front court. According to a recent source, he plans to return from his offseason ankle surgery in January.
Up until that point, Robinson was the best shot blocker on the team and led the league in offensive rebounds, so they sorely needed to cover a gap in the paint. The Knicks will have to rely on Julius Randle at the five-spot, Jericho Sims, and Precious Achiuwa since they don’t want to hasten Robinson’s recuperation. Or do the Knicks know they are lacking a defensive player after looking at their present depth chart?
On the trade market, one center is available, and it’s on a deal that is about to expire. Ian Begley of SNY claims that earlier in the summer, the Knicks discussed Clint Capela. Maybe the Knicks add Capela to their roster in exchange for Robinson, taking on his $22.6 million deal, to help fill the hole left by Robinson’s absence on the front court defensively. Leon Rose would also keep things flexible and make the center depth chart better.
Capela is still an improvement defensively even though he is past his peak, and the Knicks wouldn’t be exercising due diligence if they didn’t at least inquire about the Hawks’ asking price.
But given that the Knicks gave up a ton of selections to get Mikal Bridges, they will need to proceed cautiously with any potential Capela trade.