The New York Knicks didn’t waste much time finding a new center. With Mitchell Robinson gone to the Boston Celtics in free agency, the team agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal with Andre Drummond, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Drummond is a two-time All-Star and four-time rebounding champion. That’s not nothing. At 32, he’s not the guy who averaged 16 and 15 for Detroit, but he’s still a physical presence who can clean the glass and eat minutes. The Knicks need exactly that.
Robinson leaving stings. He was a fan favorite in New York, a shot-blocker and lob threat who anchored the defense during the team’s title run. But the Celtics offered him a deal the Knicks weren’t willing to match. So the front office moved on fast.
Why Drummond fits
New York runs a system that demands a big man who can rebound, finish around the rim, and hold up in pick-and-roll coverage. Drummond checks those boxes. He’s not the athlete he used to be, but he’s still 6-foot-10, 280 pounds, and he knows how to position himself.
Last season in Chicago, Drummond averaged 8.4 points and 9.1 rebounds in just over 17 minutes a game. That’s elite per-minute production on the boards. For a Knicks team that led the league in offensive rebounding rate during the regular season, adding a guy who hunts misses like a hawk makes sense.
There’s also the price. $3.9 million is basically the veteran’s minimum for a player with Drummond’s years of service. The Knicks didn’t have cap flexibility after their championship run, so they needed to find value deals. This is one.
What this means for the rotation
Isaiah Hartenstein will likely start at center. Drummond probably comes off the bench as the primary backup. That’s a solid one-two punch, especially if head coach Tom Thibodeau chooses to play them together in certain matchups. Drummond’s never been a great shooter, but he’s a smart passer out of the post and can find cutters.
The Knicks also have Jericho Sims and a few young bodies in the pipeline. But Drummond is the proven insurance policy. If Hartenstein misses time or struggles with foul trouble, New York won’t have to panic.
One thing worth watching: how Drummond handles reduced minutes. He’s been a starter for most of his career, and he’s not exactly known for his patience on the bench. But he’s also chasing a ring. The Knicks just won one. That might be enough to keep him locked in.
The team has not confirmed the deal yet, but multiple outlets have reported it as a done deal. Once the paperwork is signed, Drummond will join a roster that’s looking to defend its title. Boston got Robinson. The Knicks got Drummond. It’s not a perfect swap, but it’s a move that keeps them in the conversation.
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