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The offseason is nearly down for the New York Knicks and they're close to fully realizing their roster, but with just NBA roster spot remaining for New York, how the team manages that roster spot will be crucial.
One glaring need for the Knicks before the season begins is to land another center to replace Ariel Hukporti, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason. Without Hukporti, the Knicks don't have a solid third option at center to back up Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, so addressing that deficit in their roster is critical.
The same could be said about the power forward slot. Beyond OG Anunoby, the Knicks can rely on Towns to slot in at power forward, running a double big setup that relies on Towns' ability to space the floor with his shooting ability, but having more support at the four would serve the Knicks well.
The free agent market may be limited, and the Knicks' desire to stay under the second apron should be considered, so with all of that in mind, there are three free agents that the Knicks could reasonably target to full out their roster in time for the pursuit of another championship.
Mason Plumlee has bounced around the NBA the last few seasons, playing with the Charlotte Hornets on a minimum contract during the 2024-25 season before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, then subsequently waived by the Thunder. Plumlee didn't play again until the San Antonio Spurs signed him to a 10-day contract in February 2026, then being signed to a rest-of-season contract.
San Antonio Spurs forward Mason Plumlee (45) beats a large drum at center court after defeating the Boston Celtics at Frost Bank Center. Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
As a result, Plumlee played just six games this past season and is once again a free agent. The Knicks could be his newest destination, and he'd likely come at an affordable price that would into the Knicks' needs.
Plumlee would add the size deep in the bench that the Knicks would be able to rely on and above all else, his physical presence and abilities as a rebounder could add the lift that the Knicks could need late in a game.
San Antonio Spurs forward Mason Plumlee (45) beats a large drum at center court after defeating the Boston Celtics at Frost Bank Center. Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Tony Bradley is in a similar position as Plumlee, having played just three games for the Atlanta Haws this past season after being signed to a rest-of-season contract in April 2026.
With that limited amount of opportunity he wasn't able to show much, but he did stand out as a stellar rebounder in the time that he had, averaging three rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) fights for a rebound with Atlanta Hawks center Tony Bradley (13) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
That skillset and his physical presence are what the Knicks are looking for in a third center and bringing Bradley in on a minimum contract could be a great pickup for New York.
Unlike the previous two candidates, Kelly Olynyk did spend most of a season with one team, the Spurs, after being traded to San Antonio ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Olynyk played in 42 games and averaged 3.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 8.6 minutes per game.
San Antonio Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk (8) brings th ball up the court as Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson (16) defends during the second half at Kaseya Center. Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Obviously, he didn't have much time on the floor to work with, but his skillset is more scoring focuses than the defensive upside that both Bradley and Plumlee have.
Olynyk was paid $13.5 million last season, and anything in that range would out the Knicks well above the second apron, but if Olynk could be negotiated down, he could be a scoring-first addition to the Knicks bench who provides versatility being able to play the four or the five.
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One glaring need for the Knicks before the season begins is to land another center to replace Ariel Hukporti, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason. Without Hukporti, the Knicks don't have a solid third option at center to back up Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, so addressing that deficit in their roster is critical.
The same could be said about the power forward slot. Beyond OG Anunoby, the Knicks can rely on Towns to slot in at power forward, running a double big setup that relies on Towns' ability to space the floor with his shooting ability, but having more support at the four would serve the Knicks well.
The free agent market may be limited, and the Knicks' desire to stay under the second apron should be considered, so with all of that in mind, there are three free agents that the Knicks could reasonably target to full out their roster in time for the pursuit of another championship.
Mason Plumlee
Mason Plumlee has bounced around the NBA the last few seasons, playing with the Charlotte Hornets on a minimum contract during the 2024-25 season before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, then subsequently waived by the Thunder. Plumlee didn't play again until the San Antonio Spurs signed him to a 10-day contract in February 2026, then being signed to a rest-of-season contract.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Mason Plumlee (45) beats a large drum at center court after defeating the Boston Celtics at Frost Bank Center. Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
As a result, Plumlee played just six games this past season and is once again a free agent. The Knicks could be his newest destination, and he'd likely come at an affordable price that would into the Knicks' needs.
Plumlee would add the size deep in the bench that the Knicks would be able to rely on and above all else, his physical presence and abilities as a rebounder could add the lift that the Knicks could need late in a game.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Mason Plumlee (45) beats a large drum at center court after defeating the Boston Celtics at Frost Bank Center. Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Tony Bradley
Tony Bradley is in a similar position as Plumlee, having played just three games for the Atlanta Haws this past season after being signed to a rest-of-season contract in April 2026.
With that limited amount of opportunity he wasn't able to show much, but he did stand out as a stellar rebounder in the time that he had, averaging three rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game.
You must be registered for see images attach
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) fights for a rebound with Atlanta Hawks center Tony Bradley (13) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
That skillset and his physical presence are what the Knicks are looking for in a third center and bringing Bradley in on a minimum contract could be a great pickup for New York.
Kelly Olynyk
Unlike the previous two candidates, Kelly Olynyk did spend most of a season with one team, the Spurs, after being traded to San Antonio ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Olynyk played in 42 games and averaged 3.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 8.6 minutes per game.
You must be registered for see images attach
San Antonio Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk (8) brings th ball up the court as Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson (16) defends during the second half at Kaseya Center. Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Obviously, he didn't have much time on the floor to work with, but his skillset is more scoring focuses than the defensive upside that both Bradley and Plumlee have.
Olynyk was paid $13.5 million last season, and anything in that range would out the Knicks well above the second apron, but if Olynk could be negotiated down, he could be a scoring-first addition to the Knicks bench who provides versatility being able to play the four or the five.
Continue reading...
