It’s still months before the NBA makes a return, but New York Knicks fans are already among the fanbases that are eager to get the season started.
It’s not hard to see why they’re hyped to see their favorite team back in action. Jalen Brunson is doing a great job as its heart after a solid season where he got his first All-Star nod. Moreover, Mikal Bridges’ move to Manhattan had fans looking forward to how the Villanova Knicks would play out.
While the offseason has been delightful for the Knicks, it doesn’t take away from the fact that there’s a glaring weakness in the team’s roster.
Julius Randle’s injury showed how the Knicks lack a proper big man who could anchor the paint for the team. With Mitchell Robinson out for much of the season, they didn’t have a solid big they could rely on during the postseason.
Due to this, one analyst thinks that there’s one center they could pursue to help the team fare better in the postseason.
Analyst thinks the New York Knicks should make a move for Clint Capela
SNY’s David Vertsberger wrote about potential bigs the Knicks can target as they try to strengthen their frontcourt. The player at the top of his list is Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela:
If the Knicks are dead set on maintaining two weapons at the five spot and see McBride as expendable in light of Tyler Kolek’s Summer League, trading for a starting caliber center could be an intriguing move for the front office. There aren’t a great deal of high-end bigs available, but the retooling Hawks could look to part ways with Capela.
Losing McBride would hurt, and New York would need to sign-and-trade Achiuwa plus use their trade exception from the OG Anunoby deal to match salary figures. But in return, they’d receive a picture perfect addition, a rim-running defender that consistently tops the league in offensive rebounding.
Capela is one of the more consistent producers for the Hawks despite their struggles to build a team around Trae Young. The Swiss big man averaged a solid 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks a game last season on 57.1% shooting.
If the Knicks make a move for Capela, they’ll instantly address an immediate weakness to their roster. Whether they pull the trigger is another matter altogether, though.
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