Knicks Should Turn to Veteran Big Man for Their 14th Roster Spot
The New York Knicks don't have many obvious holes to worry about heading into next season. This is already one of the best rosters in basketball, so the 14th...
The New York Knicks don't have many obvious holes to worry about heading into next season. This is already one of the best rosters in basketball, so the 14th roster spot doesn't need to be a move that changes the entire team. New York can afford to be selective and look for someone who can quietly provide something useful when the situation calls for it.
There are a few different directions the Knicks could take. They could add another shooter, bring in some younger talent, or look for another veteran voice. But one of the most practical options might be adding another big man.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond give the Knicks two options at center, but adding a veteran behind them would give really valuable insurance.
That's where Drew Eubanks could make sense. Eubanks is currently an unrestricted free agent, and the Knicks could use their final spot to add a player who doesn't need a major role to be useful.
Knicks 14th Roster Spot: Eubanks Could Give New York Some Extra Insurance
Eubanks isn't the kind of signing that's going to change the Knicks' outlook for the upcoming season completely. That's also not really the point. Instead, he'd give New York another option at center and some additional frontcourt depth behind Towns and Drummond. For a team that doesn't necessarily need to make a major addition, that could be exactly what the 14th roster spot is for.
Eubanks has really established himself as a reliable third-string center. If the Knicks brought him in to give some stability in their upcoming season , that's likely where he'd fit on the depth chart.
Eubanks wouldn't need to walk into New York expecting a featured role. The Knicks would have another experienced big man available if needed. That's extra useful when the roster is already as strong as New York's. The 14th player doesn't have to be someone who demands minutes every night. Sometimes, having a dependable option waiting on the bench is enough.
Eubanks played 42 games for the Sacramento Kings last season. He's also played with the LA Clippers , Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns . That experience gives the Knicks another reason to consider him. He's familiar with being a depth player and wouldn't need the team to reshape its plans around him completely.
The Knicks Don't Need to Overthink This Spot
New York has several ways it could use its final roster spot. More three-point shooting would be helpful. Adding youth is another possibility. The Knicks could even decide that another veteran leader is what the group needs.
But something is appealing about keeping the decision simple. Adding Eubanks would give New York another center behind Towns and Drummond without asking him to become something he's not. He could serve as low-cost insurance and provide the Knicks with another option if they need help in the frontcourt. He'd also be fun to watch with Jalen Brunson to some capacity on the court . That's a really good use of the 14th spot for a team that doesn't have a glaring weakness to fix.
The Knicks don't need this roster move to produce a star. They don't need someone who completely changes the team's identity. They need to find a player who can make the roster a little deeper and give them another option when the season gets complicated. Eubanks fits that description. He won't solve all of their concerns , but he'll help.
He may not be the most exciting name New York could add, but the 14th roster spot doesn't need to be super exciting. A reliable veteran big man who can step in when needed could be a much more useful addition.
Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
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