The reloaded New York Knicks have all of the makings of a title contender after bolstering their roster since the February trade deadline. With Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson, they have arguably the best starting five in the NBA.
Factor in Deuce McBride, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart, and they have a terrific eight-man rotation. However, things start to get dicey after that, with their biggest question mark at backup center.
The prevailing thought is that they will make a trade to add a backup to Robinson, especially given his injury history. However, according to Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau himself, they may instead look inward to address their backup center problem.
The Knicks' perfect answer to their biggest roster flaw is hiding in plain sight
Tom Thibodeau to @AschNBA: "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. He also would create a lot of [offensive] advantages." https://t.co/huoT6gwS5A
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) September 17, 2024
The Knicks using Randle for 10-15 minutes a game at center may be a game-changer. That would mean that he will continue to start at power forward but could play shorter stints to begin the first and third quarters. He could then sub back in for Robinson to end those quarters and start the second and fourth.
Playing Randle at the five would help solve the Knicks' biggest problem by having him eat up significant backup minutes there, with Jericho Sims likely getting spot minutes to try and minimize the wear and tear on Mitchell and Randall
With rumors swirling about Randles' future in New York, having him spend time playing with the second unit would give him a chance to have the offense run through him. Should the Knicks still need to move him to cover other holes, this could potentially enhance his value to both them and other teams.
Julius Randle playing center could benefit the New York Knicks.
Having him spend time at center would also have other benefits for New York, specifically having all of their best players on the floor at once. Thibodeau can trot out lineups that feature Brunson, DiVincenzo or Hart, Bridges, Anunoby, and Randle.
All five players are capable shooters and at least three of those players would be able to guard their position effectively, particularly Bridges and Anunoby, who may be tasked with defending the best perimeter players on the opposing team.
Randle may not be able to guard big men such as Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, or Victor Wembanyama, but most of the best big men are out west. That makes the idea of playing him at the five a viable one for the Knicks next season.