The New York Knicks have Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond positioned atop their center depth chart, but the defending champions remain without a traditional third center as training camp approaches and this saga doesn’t feel any closer to an end.
In yet another update on the situation, according to SNY’s Ian Begley, veteran free agent Tony Bradley has emerged on the Knicks’ radar as New York continues evaluating potential additions for its remaining roster spots, with a competition for those
expected to take place throughout camp and the preseason.
“One other note on free agent signings ahead of training camp: veteran center Tony Bradley has also been a player on the Knicks’ radar,” Begley reported.
If you’re like me, you probably though Bradley was 35 already. Turns out he’s only 28!
Even then, and while Bradley would provide an experienced third option behind Towns and Drummond, don’t expect TB (or whoever ends up landing in New York) to find a clear and open path into coach Mike Brown’s established rotation.
Begley noted that the Knicks are comfortable with their current top two options despite the absence of another traditional center, making it even tougher for Mystery Man to get any potential playing time.
“The Knicks do not currently have a third center, but there is a strong degree of confidence internally in the Karl-Anthony Towns-Andre Drummond duo at the position,” Begley reported.
Bradley spent last season with the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks, appearing in 41 games and averaging 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11 minutes per game.
The 6-foot-10 center has eight seasons of NBA experience after entering the league as the No. 28 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Bradley owns career averages of 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 234 regular-season appearances.
Begley previously reported that New York has also shown interest in free agents Drew Eubanks and John Konchar while evaluating its remaining roster openings, hinting at the openness of the Knicks’ brass to land a variety of player types ahead of their title defense.
For now, the Knicks’ next step is opening training camp before they face the Philadelphia 76ers in the first game of the preseason.
