Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks

This Center You've Never Heard Of Could Save The Knicks Season

September 22, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The New York Knicks just won a championship, but their front office is already looking for the next edge. Host Gavin Shaw brings on Ben Strober and Abdullah Iubi from the Locked On Wizards podcast to discuss a young, overlooked center who could add a new offensive dimension to the Knicks' bench—and to reverse-engineer how Washington can follow the same rebuild blueprint that turned New York into a champion.

The Tristan Vukcevic Gamble

The conversation starts with a specific trade target: Tristan Vukcevic, a 7-foot center the Wizards drafted in the second round of 2023. Shaw is intrigued because the Knicks signed Andre Drummond as their backup center, but the team still lacks a "curveball" off the bench—a big man who can shoot, pass, and push in transition. Vukcevic, he argues, fits that description.

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What you'll learn

1 (01:05) **A Young Center the Knicks Should Consider** - Gavin introduces the idea that a little-known Wizards backup big could solve the Knicks' need for a "curveball" off the bench behind Andre Drummond.
2 (04:16) **Scouting Vukcevic: Offensive Promise, Defensive Flaws** - Ben and Abdullah break down the Wizards' young center, detailing his offensive strengths and defensive limitations.
3 (07:38) **The Wizards' Big Picture: Identity and Fit** - Gavin asks the Wizards hosts to define the team's thesis for the upcoming season, given the mix of veterans and young players.
4 (16:26) **One Non-AJ Young Guy to Watch** - Each guest picks a young Wizard they are most excited to see make a leap this season.
5 (18:50) **How the Knicks Built a Defense Around Jalen Brunson** - Ben asks how the Knicks successfully insulated a smaller, defensively-limited star, and whether the Wizards can do the same for Trey Young.
6 (24:34) **Lessons from the Knicks' Rebuild for Wizards Fans** - Gavin offers advice to Wizards fans on patience and the critical ingredients for a championship turnaround.
7 (27:53) **The Star Discount: A Necessity for Title Windows?** - Ben asks if Jalen Brunson taking a pay cut will become a common expectation for star players.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Gavin Shaw

Show Notes

The New York Knicks eye new offensive options as rumors swirl around a trade for Wizards’ Tristan Vukcevic. Can Vukcevic’s shooting and ball skills provide the spark the Knicks need at center, or will defensive liabilities halt a potential deal?

Gavin Schall, is joined by Locked On Wizards co-hosts Ben Strober and Abdullah Ayubi, spotlights the future of the Knicks’ big-man rotation and probes Vukcevic’s fit behind Andre Drummond.

The conversation shifts to the Washington Wizards’ dramatic rebuild, featuring Trae Young’s blockbuster contract, Anthony Davis’ uncertain tenure, and the emergence of young talents like AJ DeBanza and Alex Saar. Insightful questions arise: Will the Wizards reach playoff contention for the first time in years?

Are the Knicks’ strategies—defensive schemes around Jalen Brunson, role player maximization, and timely consolidation trades—the right blueprint for Washington? Don’t miss these exclusive team-building insights and bold season forecasts for both Eastern Conference contenders.

Time Stamps

00:00 Could Tristan Vukcevic help the Knicks?

05:38 Wizards two timeline build

07:10 Discussing the Wizards roster strategy

12:10 AJ Dybantsa as a franchise cornerstone

15:43 Tre Johnson's potential role

17:46 How to defensively insulate your star guard

19:49 Why Tray Young is not Jalen Brunson

23:42 Can the Wizards replicate the Knicks build?

28:20 Building a Winning Basketball Culture

31:06 Qualities of a great coach

33:47 How to know when to go all in

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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