This One Move Would Solve All the Knicks’ Roster Problems
July 24, 2026
AI Summary
5 min readThe New York Knicks have a championship-caliber roster, but there is one glaring hole: frontcourt depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns. The team is light on players who can play both the four and the five, and relying on Towns next to Andre Drummond or forcing Josh Hart to play up a position creates problems. On the Locked On Knicks podcast, host XJ argues that a single move—acquiring a four-five hybrid who can stretch the floor on offense and protect the rim on defense—could solve all of these issues at once.
Why a Hybrid Matters More Than a Pure Center
The central insight is that the Knicks need a player who can toggle between positions depending on the lineup and the opponent. Towns is most valuable as a center on offense, where his shooting and skill create mismatches. Playing him at the four offensively wastes that advantage. Defensively, however, Towns can guard the four, allowing a more mobile big to protect the rim. This means the ideal acquisition is not a traditional backup center but a wing-big hybrid: a player who can play center on defense and forward on offense.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (01:05) **The Thesis: One Move to Fix Everything** - XJ introduces the idea that a single roster addition could resolve both the Knicks' need for center depth and their lack of front-court versatility.
- 2 (03:06) **Regular Season vs. Postseason Strategy** - XJ explains how the Knicks should use the regular season to test lineups and preserve health, setting up a flexible postseason rotation.
- 3 (06:13) **Defining the Target: The Four-Five Hybrid** - The core argument: a player who can stretch the floor offensively as a four and protect the rim defensively as a five would solve all roster problems at once.
- 4 (08:35) **Option 1: Karlo Matkovic (Pelicans)** - A deep dive on the Pelicans' young big as a near-perfect fit for the Knicks' system.
- 5 (14:54) **Option 2: Jalen Smith (Bulls)** - A veteran stretch big who quietly improved his rim protection and could be a perfect backup.
- 6 (18:09) **The Rim Protection Dilemma** - XJ addresses listener comments demanding an elite rim protector, explaining why that market is too expensive for the Knicks.
- 7 (23:22) **Option 3: Isaiah Stewart (Grizzlies)** - The first elite rim protector on the list, but with the lowest getability due to his value in Memphis.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Show Notes
The New York Knicks edge closer to a championship repeat—are they just one roster move away? XJ reveals how targeting a versatile 4-5 hybrid could address both center depth and frontcourt flexibility, naming standout options like Karlo Matkovic, Jalen Smith, and Isaiah Stewart. Why is elite rim protection in such high demand across the NBA, and can the Knicks realistically secure it without sacrificing offensive firepower?
Key insights spotlight the dilemma between acquiring a pure defensive anchor versus a stretch big who can shoot and switch. XJ breaks down fit and getability ratings for top trade targets, explores the challenges of finding the right backup for OG Anunoby, and weighs the impact on the Knicks’ postseason versatility. From potential trades with the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, and Memphis Grizzlies, this episode maps out the Knicks’ most practical path to a flawless roster.
00:00 — One Knicks move would make the roster perfect
00:31 — Why the Knicks need a Center/Forward hybrid
04:53 — Karlo Matkovic breakdown
11:27 — Odoo Ad Break
13:06 — Jalen Smith breakdown
20:52 — Isaiah Stewart breakdown
24:54 — Precious Achiuwa breakdown
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas; Darren Yamashita - Imagn Images
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