The New York Knicks will receive an immeasurable boost to its frontcourt depth when center Mitchell Robinson finally returns from ankle surgery in the coming weeks.
Behind Karl-Anthony Towns, the depth chart at the 5 will get even more packed. Robinson will take over as the main backup upon his reintroduction to the squad, with Precious Achiuwa and Ariel Hukporti being able to eat minutes if necessary.
It has made Jericho Sims expendable, and the Knicks are reportedly shopping the 26-year-old big man, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
Sims is averaging a career-low 11.2 minutes per game this season, posting 1.7 points and 3.6 rebounds. He missed Monday night’s loss to the Detroit Pistons because of back spasms.
It is the harsh reality that comes with playing head coach Tom Thibodeau’s tight rotation. New York’s starting five has been one of the more overworked groups in the NBA and bench minutes had been at a premium for the team’s bench unit. As of late, Hukporti had been given the nod over Sims as Towns’ main backup with Achiuwa mainly playing at the power forward spot.
Despite the low output, there has been reported interest from around the league for Sims, though it is clear that New York likely would not get much for him if they were to deal him before the NBA’s Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Sims is in the final year of his contract, considering he has fallen out of favor in head coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotation. Per Bondy, New York is looking for a second-round pick in return, but even that might be too high of a price for him at this point.
Regardless, teams desperate for frontcourt help will certainly be interested in the athletic 6-foot-10 product out of Texas. His per 36-minute stats help paint a more comprehensive picture of what he could achieve as a more established rotational player. For his career, he averages 6.4 points with 10.4 rebounds (4.0 offensive rebounds) and 1.2 blocks for every 36 minutes he plays. It at least suggests that he could provide a considerable boost to a team that needs extra muscle under the basket.
