​With the New York Knicks still in need of adding another center, a fresh option has emerged, and the Knicks are reportedly showing interest. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported on Wednesday that the Nuggets are planning to waive center Jonas Valančiūnas to avoid paying him the $10 million guaranteed for the upcoming season. As a result, the Nuggets would owe him only $2 million.
On Thursday morning, SNY’s Ian Begley added that the Knicks are at least somewhat intrigued, describing Valančiūnas as “on their radar.” Begley noted that if Valančiūnas, a former client of Knicks owner Leon Rose, ultimately lands with New York, the team would secure solid depth at center. “NYK will have solid depth at center if Valančiūnas chooses the Knicks in his current free agency,” Begley said. “He is among centers on their radar.”
This wouldn’t mark the first time the Knicks have shown interest in Valančiūnas. In 2024, Valančiūnas revealed that New York was among the teams he considered during that summer’s free-agent period, saying, “We had a lot of talks with different teams. New York (was) one of them.” Beyond recent interest, Valančiūnas also has a personal connection to New York through Leon Rose, who previously represented him as an agent.
The Knicks’ offseason saw a significant departure with the loss of center Mitchell Robinson, whom the team could not retain without triggering the second apron—an option owner James Dolan declined to pursue. In free agency, New York responded by adding Andre Drummond to replace Robinson, who subsequently signed with the Boston Celtics. The team also parted ways with Ariel Hukporti, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving the Knicks in need of additional depth at the center position.
Valančiūnas would not replicate Robinson’s elite defensive impact, but he brings a commanding physical presence in the paint, strong rebounding, and a more proficient low-post scoring ability than either Robinson or Drummond. He would serve as a dependable big man off the bench for New York, complementing the existing rotation and giving head coachs another reliable option down the spurts.
From a strategic standpoint, signing Valančiūnas aligns with the Knicks’ apparent objective of reinforcing their frontcourt with a versatile, interior-minded contributor who can impact games with his size, rebounding, and post play. While his defensive impact may not match Robinson’s, Valančiūnas offers a different set of strengths that could help stabilize the second unit and provide a credible interior scoring option.
With Valančiūnas’ name circulating and the potential for a fit alongside Julius Randle and other frontcourt pieces, it makes practical sense for the Knicks to pursue him. Whether New York can finalize a deal remains to be seen, but the appeal is clear: Valančiūnas would give the Knicks added depth, experience, and a hardwood presence that could help them navigate a demanding schedule and contend for a deeper, more balanced center rotation. The coming days will reveal whether the Knicks can translate interest into a signed agreement, but the rationale for pursuing Valančiūnas is solid and aligns with New York’s broader strategic aims for the frontcourt.