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The New York Knicks have an open roster spot, and are expected to target a few names on the buyout market, including a two-time champion.
The New York Knicks have run the gambit of emotions through the first few months of the 2025-26 NBA season, and while they did make two moves at the trade deadline to improve their playoff chances, they have an open roster spot that could be used to target a player on the buyout market that could be a difference-maker in the final stretch of the regular season.
The Knicks dealt Guerschon Yabusele to the Chicago Bulls and made a subsequent trade to add Jose Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans. While that move has been praised, New York reportedly isn’t done working on their roster.
According to James L. Edwards of The Athletic, the Knicks have a few names on the buyout market they are expected to target to fill their lone remaining open roster spot.
“The addition of Alvarado was the answer to New York’s concern about backup ballhandling this season. It still, though, has a hole in the front court,” Edwards wrote on the team’s needs. “Given Mitchell Robinson’s injury history, it may behoove the Knicks’ decision-makers to add another veteran center as insurance behind Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns.”
Shortly before the All-Star Break, the Knicks are 34-19 and second in the East, but have several players they could bring in as buyout candidates to sure-up a team that has seen perhaps the highest highs this season, and the lowest lows.
Knicks Top Buyout Market Targets To Fill Open Roster Spot
Firstly, Cam Thomas was one of the biggest names previously available, as he was waived from the Brooklyn Nets after the trade deadline. However, while his scoring could have been a solid addition in New York, he signed a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, as they hope to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy.
Instead, Edwards listed some of the top players the Knicks are expected to target in the buyout market, the first of which was Chris Boucher, formerly of the Boston Celtics.
“Boucher isn’t perfect. He’s 6-foot-8 and weighs 200 pounds soaking wet. He’s not a physical presence by any means, but he can hit an open 3 and blocks shots,” Edwards wrote. “Would he want to come to New York and only play in garbage time or if an injury happens?”
He added that Boucher would be an upgrade from Ariel Hukporti, as he has championship experience and could likely be better suited to play if Towns or Robinson are injured. He won a title with the Golden State Warriors in 2018, and again with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 with OG Anunoby, an experience the Knicks could surely use at this point in the franchise’s history.
In a similar sense, Marvin Bagley was another name thrown out. He’s gotten limited run over the past few years, but could be a dynamic lob threat for Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart on the offensive side of the ball.
“Bagley would be an overqualified third center for the Knicks. He can score with his back to the basket and is a good lob threat. Bagley isn’t a good defender, but he can block shots on occasion.”
Drew Eubanks and Mason Plumlee were the other two centers Edwards listed as targets for the Knicks. Neither would likely be asked to play a big role, but they both have valuable experience. Haywood Highsmith, Kelly Olynyk, Xavier Tillman, and Jeremy Sochan were the other names mentioned.
As seen, New York could use frontcourt depth, because after giving up Yabusele and adding Alvarado, Towns and Robinson are the only two true big men head coach Mike Brown has to use.
Guerschon Yabusele Talks Knicks Trade
Yabusele never got to show his full potential with New York after signing with the team over the offseason, but now in Chicago, he’s put together some strong performances.
There was an expectation that he would be moved at the trade deadline, and while rumors are hard to confirm, the fact that the Knicks did eventually cut ties with the French big man shows he was never a solid fit in New York.
Most recently, Yabusele gave an interview with Ian Begley of SNY, talking about how he had to amend his contract with the team for the trade to be able to go through.
“We can always see the side of the money and talk about it, but at the end of the day the passion is more than just the money. It’s being out there, missing the feeling of being out there, offense, defense. Just competing at a high level because I’m a competitor first,” Yabusele said.
He added that, after not getting a ton of playing time with the Knicks, Yabusele thought a fresh start would be good for both sides. He is still hoping to land another contract to obtain medical coverage for his family, but for now, he is putting together a strong tryout for a new deal with the Bulls.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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