The New York Knicks are considering veteran center Thomas Bryant for the team’s final roster slot, league sources said.
Front-court depth on the radar
New York recently brought in guards Jordan Clarkson and forward Guerschon Yabusele to bolster the second unit, but the club still has only three traditional bigs—Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson and second-year center Ariel Hukporti. Additional size could become critical as the franchise eyes a deep run in the 2026 playoffs.
Bryant, 28, stands 6-foot-10 and averaged 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in 56 appearances (eight starts) last season with the Indiana Pacers. He posted a season-best 22 points on Jan. 8 during Indiana’s 129-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Playoff résumé an added draw
The former second-round pick owns postseason experience with five teams—the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets and Pacers—and earned a championship ring with Denver in 2023. Against the Knicks in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals, Bryant came off the bench in Game 6 to score 11 points in 13 minutes, helping Indiana secure its first NBA Finals berth since 2000.
SNY’s David Vertsberger noted that New York could start the season with a twin-tower lineup featuring Towns and Robinson, leaving Hukporti as the lone reserve center. Signing Bryant would give the coaching staff another option should injuries arise.
Knicks still monitoring Ben Simmons
The club also remains linked to unrestricted free agent Ben Simmons. According to SNY’s Ian Begley, New York is prepared to offer a veteran-minimum deal to the three-time All-Star, who averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists across 51 games split between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers last season. Guard Landry Shamet is another name on the team’s radar for the final spot.
No timetable has been set for a decision on Bryant, Simmons or any other candidate.
Source: Basketball Insiders
