The New York Knicks saw center Isaiah Hartenstein depart to the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency. They still have Mitchell Robinson, who, along with his trainer, has hinted at a promising upcoming season.
However, Robinson’s injury history raises concerns about his reliability.
He played in just 31 games last season and has only reached 65 games in a season twice in his career.
The last time Mitchell Robinson played at least 65 games was in the 2021-22 season. Aware of Robinson’s injury history, the Knicks have continued to explore options to replace the departed Isaiah Hartenstein, who started 49 of his 75 games with the Thunder last season.
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According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, “The Knicks have also made inquiries on the trade market, showing interest in Jazz center Walker Kessler, league sources told HoopsHype.”
Kessler, the No. 22 overall pick in the 2022 draft, averaged 8.1 points and 7.5 rebounds this past season. Although he started fewer games than in his rookie season, he averaged more minutes per game. He also made 10 fewer appearances compared to his All-Rookie First Team season.
“After starting 40 of 74 games as a rookie, Kessler started 22 of 64 games in his second season and didn’t progress as much as some in Utah had hoped. However, when he played, his efficiency was impressive, averaging 12.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per 36 minutes,” Scotto wrote.
“Rival executives believe that Utah is now open to trade calls for Kessler, whereas last year, he was considered off-limits.”
The Knicks have the assets to put together a trade package for Kessler even after acquiring Bridges.
Knicks Could Strengthen Defense with Walker Kessler Trade
“Kessler started 40 out of 74 games as a rookie but only 22 out of 64 games in his second season, not progressing as much as some in Utah had hoped. Nonetheless, his efficiency was notable, averaging 12.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per 36 minutes,” Scotto wrote.
“Rival executives now believe Utah is open to trade calls for Kessler, a stark contrast to last year when he was considered untouchable.”
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The Knicks still have the assets to assemble a trade package for Kessler, even after acquiring Bridges.
The 7-footer will be eligible for restricted free agency afterward.
This means the team has three more seasons of control before potentially committing to a significant financial investment. After the Knicks’ trade for Mikal Bridges, making smart decisions on the margins will be crucial for completing the roster.
Knicks at Risk of Facing Penalties Under CBA
ESPN’s Bobby Marks, a former executive with the Brooklyn Nets, analyzed the Knicks’ financial situation following the trade for Bridges. The team is currently over the luxury tax threshold but has under $7 million in space before reaching the first tax apron.
The NBA’s new CBA imposes different levels of penalties on teams, with the most severe being restricted buying power after exceeding the first apron.
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Keith Smith from Spotrac provided a graphic outlining the risks associated with exceeding each tax threshold.
The Knicks need to finalize an extension for Jalen Brunson and potentially find a suitable replacement for Hartenstein. Maintaining depth is crucial to avoid a repeat of last season’s issues, where injuries significantly impacted their postseason performance.
