Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks

The Knicks Biggest Threat In The East Isn't Who You Think

September 17, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The New York Knicks signed Bruce Brown, John Konchar, O.G. Anunoby (re-signed), James Wiseman, and Drew Eubanks in a flurry of late-offseason moves, but none of those additions address what host Gavin Shaw argues is the team’s single biggest unmet need: a backup center who is a clear defensive upgrade over Andre Drummond. After failing to trade for a young, versatile big man like Eve Missi or Moose Diabate, and after losing Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks enter the season without a center who can credibly defend in a playoff series. Shaw calls this Leon Rose’s biggest offseason failure—and the one thing that could keep the defending champions from repeating.

The Backup Center Problem

The Knicks’ championship calculus, Shaw explains, hinges on finding a center who can play meaningful minutes when Carl-Anthony Towns sits—and, more specifically, someone who won’t be played off the floor in a playoff series. Andre Drummond, the current backup, has defensive limitations that Shaw believes could become “detrimental” in a four-round playoff run. The Knicks tried to pivot after Mitchell Robinson’s departure, but every trade target fell through. Missi and Diabate were too expensive or unavailable. Moose Diabate was signed, then snatched away by Dallas via the “Strieum Nimhard” mechanism (a reference to the NBA’s poison-pill restriction on matching offers for two-way players). The re

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What you'll learn

1 (01:45) **The Knicks' Real Offseason Failure** - Gavin Shaw explains why the flurry of training-camp signings obscures the team's biggest unresolved need
2 (02:42) **The Backup Center Search That Came Up Empty** - A detailed breakdown of the Knicks' failed attempts to trade for a big man
3 (04:04) **Why the New Wings Won't Move the Title Needle** - Shaw explains the limits of the new additions
4 (05:16) **The Andre Drummond Problem** - Why the veteran backup is a playoff liability
5 (07:17) **Why the Center Trade Never Happened** - The Knicks' calculus and the league's resistance
6 (09:36) **Bruce Brown: The Most Interesting Signing** - A deep dive into Brown's game and fit
7 (12:52) **The Bruce Brown Net Rating Mystery** - Expert analysis from the Locked On Nuggets team

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Gavin Shaw

Show Notes

The New York Knicks scramble to bolster depth with Bruce Brown, John Konchar, Ochai Agbaji, James Wiseman, and Drew Eubanks signings—yet a glaring hole remains at backup center. Is Leon Rose falling short of the final piece needed for another championship push?

Gavin Schall assesses the Knicks’ offseason strategy, spotlighting the search for reliable support behind Karl-Anthony Towns and the challenge of upgrading from Andre Drummond.

The episode breaks down each new addition’s fit, the looming question of Deuce McBride’s trade value, and the crunch for final roster spots. Will the Knicks find the defensive anchor they need, or are their title hopes hanging by a thread? Tune in for sharp analysis of New York’s roster puzzle and what it means for their championship window.

Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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