Locked On Knicks - Daily Podcast On The New York Knicks

This Is How The Knicks Will Solve Their Center Problem

July 22, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The New York Knicks have one clear roster hole: a reliable center who can play real minutes in the postseason. After failing to sign Moose C from Dallas—the Mavericks matched the offer sheet within hours—the front office now faces a more difficult path. Host XJ argues that the solution requires a painful trade of a fan favorite, and he identifies exactly which teams the Knicks should call.

The Odd Man Out

The Knicks have excess depth at only one position: guard. Jalen Brunson is untouchable. Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet are on team-friendly deals. That leaves Deuce McBride as the clear trade candidate. McBride is 26, entering his prime, and will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end. He already took a contract he immediately outperformed, sacrificing both pay and minutes. XJ believes McBride has the highest trade value among players the Knicks would be willing to part with.

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What you'll learn

1 (02:29) **The Core Thesis: Knicks Must Trade Deuce McBride for a Center** - The Knicks’ only roster weakness is center, and the path to fixing it requires a painful trade of fan-favorite Deuce McBride.
2 (05:47) **Defending Deuce’s Value Despite Playoff Struggles** - The host argues that Deuce’s poor shooting in the NBA Finals is just variance, not a true reflection of his ability.
3 (09:41) **The Two-Part Center Solution: Sign Now, Trade Later** - The Knicks need an immediate free-agent signing to hold the fort and a mid-season trade for a playoff-caliber backup.
4 (13:02) **Why Centers Are So Hard to Acquire** - The league-wide demand for 48 minutes of rim protection has made even third-string centers expensive and untouchable.
5 (14:37) **Free Agent Target #1: Nick Richards** - The host’s top choice for the immediate signing to play the third-string role.
6 (15:27) **Free Agent Targets #2 & #3: Drew Eubanks and Dwight Powell** - Secondary options with different profiles that still work for a short-term role.
7 (17:04) **The Player to Avoid: Tony Bradley** - The host explicitly argues against signing Bradley, who would actively hurt the team.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

The New York Knicks still face a critical decision at center: will a midseason trade shake up their championship roster? As the Knicks eye playoff-level depth, Deuce McBride emerges as the likeliest trade candidate, with valuable insight into why his expiring contract and team-friendly deals make him the odd man out.

XJ breaks down potential center signings like Nick Richards, Drew Eubanks, and Dwight Powell while spotlighting key trade targets from the Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards. The conversation zeroes in on how the Knicks can backfill at guard, the rising demand for elite rim protection, and the importance of versatile bigs to support Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond. With strategic roster moves on the horizon, can New York maintain its edge in the Eastern Conference?

00:00 — The Knicks will have to trade for a center

01:30 — Why Deuce McBride will (for sure) be traded for a center :(

10:06 — Indeed Ad Break

11:35 — The Knicks' short term fix at center

18:58 — Odoo Ad Break

20:21 — The Knicks' trade deadline targets at center

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas; Wendell Cruz - Imagn Images

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