4:46pm: The Knicks have confirmed (via Twitter) that Sims will be out at least seven-to-10 days, which is when he’ll be reevaluated.
1:36pm: Although he’s still listed on the injury report as questionable for Wednesday’s game in Brooklyn, Knicks center Jericho Sims is expected to miss one or two weeks due to his right ankle sprain, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). Sims suffered the injury during Monday’s victory over the Lakers.
Sims has averaged just 1.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.4 minutes per game across 14 appearances so far this season, but he has become an important part of New York’s rotation since starting center Mitchell Robinson went down with a left ankle injury. Sims started the Knicks’ first five games without Robinson and had been playing between 17 and 21 minutes per night.
Although Isaiah Hartenstein had been handling the majority of the minutes at the five and looks like the obvious candidate to move into the starting lineup, the Knicks now find themselves shorthanded up front. With Robinson and Sims unavailable, the team’s only other center besides Hartenstein is 38-year-old Taj Gibson, who just made his season debut last week and probably shouldn’t be counted on for meaningful minutes.
Even before Wojnarowski revealed Sims’ recovery timeline, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post had suggested that something has to give for the Knicks, who can’t count on Hartenstein to keep playing 39 minutes per game like he did on Monday.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau has resisted the idea of using a power forward like Julius Randle as a small-ball five, since he prefers to always have some form of rim protection on the floor, but Thibodeau may need to be flexible on that front, writes Bondy.
The other option would be for the front office to add another center via free agency. The Knicks currently have a full roster, but a few players, including Ryan Arcidiacono and DaQuan Jeffries, don’t have fully guaranteed contracts, so the team has some flexibility to move players in and out if necessary.
Fournier and whatever for Vucevic. $20M per is almost matched to Fournier and isn’t much for a timeshare a center with Robinson when he returns. Hartenstein can be the BU PF that’s been need for this year and he’ll probably walk next year, looking for more money as a free agent. A nice off/def combo in the middle for a couple of years with Robinson and Vucevic.
I’d take that. We’re paying Fournier 18 mill to sit.
But why? He’s slow and doesn’t provide much rim protection. Not a great Mitch replacement. Also not shooting well this year at all. He does grab boards. His defense has never impressed me but numbers says he’s solid. Anyway, we maybe just need a guy to be an upgrade over Taj until Mitch is back. IHart seems to be able to handle the extra minutes and is playing his ass off.
My bigger issue is with taking on the 2 additional years of the Vucevic contract after this year and using Mitch’s injury to justify it.
Not hating, ideas are meant to be discussed, but some of yall wanna make trades just to make trades. We’ve never been patient, and it’s effed us over time and time again. Let’s see how good the Knicks really are over the next few weeks with lots of tough games, and getting closer to February you start to see who’s selling/available and what part of the roster needs tweaking.
I look at him for the following reasons: he’s a vet on a moderate salary for what he provides, and an offensive compliment to Robinson. He can put in the minutes if needed, spread out the floor for others, such as Randle, Brunson and RJ in the paint, and is an excellent passer. He can rebound (solid on the offensive boards) and can shoot well from the three and the free throw line. Defensively he’s weak and averages typically a steal and block a game, but we’re looking at 18-24 minutes a game (well below what he currently provides) to compliment MR. Combine the two salaries and minutes/stats and you’re getting a solid center for ~$35M per if I recall MRs salary correctly. I like Hartenstein as a BU and would love to have him back, but I think someone is going to pay him starter dollars. Plus, he’s a better offensive player as opposed to defense, whereas I’d prefer Vucevic if all things were equal.
I hear you, good points. Lot of reasons he could help us, just wanna see us be smart with our trade assets and don’t love to committing to 2 more years of an aging Vucevic. Is he having a down year or is it the start of a sharp downhill? Agree the salary isn’t so bad, but would Thibs even play him 18 mins with a healthy Mitch playing well?
Last thing we need is another weak defender Thibs doesn’t play riding the bench for 20 mil per
I think his issue is the team – they’re trying to figure out who they are. It’s amazing the talent they have currently and cannot piece it together. Change of scenery could help.
I prefer keeping Hartenstein in NYC, even with a sizeable raise on a multi-year deal this off-season. Love how hard he plays and he’s developed great chemistry with a lot of the roster
Well that Suxxx …..
Taj better be ready. Hartenstein with starters mins. Should Knicks sign another big ??
Two wks — it’s a tough schedule.
This will be telling for Knick fans.
link to nba.com
I say give Taj a few more games before doing anything major. Would love to see him hold it down til return of Mitch, but maybe it’s too much to ask. It’s not like Sims was doing or playing much anyway. What worries me a bit is how much we’re depending on Hartenstein. Stay healthy Isaiah!
If the NYK are going to make a trade to bring it a big, do it quickly. We have two straight games against the biggest team in the league coming up, and they’re also a team we never beat. Of course, doing things quickly doesn’t appear to be the strength of this FO. Their preferred approach is all deliberate speed, with more deliberation than speed. First time for everything.
The Bulls haven’t made Vooch available.
Kelly Olynk – on an expiring contract – is a more realistic option. He can stretch the offense and protect the rim.
Olynk can also play the 4 so he’ll be useful even when Mitch eventually returns.
Good take (except the rim protection part).
I think Rose & Co. should authorize you to offer Fournier and his own SRP (comes with the right to swap with CLE) for 2024, plus cash to make up any difference between the salaries. It’s FILL or KILL by Thursday COB, with Friday morning physicals. The deal only works if KO is in uniform for Saturday night. Any of Ainge’s nonsense, hang up.
I agree, Olynyk could be a very nice fit. As long as he doesn’t cost too much because as you said he’s expiring/rental. After our last experience with Danny Ainge I’m guessing it’s a long-shot though..
Olymyk is the answer. Fournier and a protected first. Throw in Sims too if they insist. He can play the 4 too, as has been said. And if iHart gets a bag in the off season that we can’t match, he’s a solid plan B.
What about bringing back Noel? Would he come back to NY?
Now that Mitch is gone. I believe they have to see who will be available. Sims missing time hurts. Noel should be someone to look at. They can hold down the center position by committee.
Considering they are looking to add another talent to the core. This was the thinking for this yr. Now adding another big could be part of this. I know if Knicks want to compete for the East. They have to add another talent (DeM DeR). And now also strengthen their big rotation. The supposedly big trade is coming by TD. It’s wait and see …..
As a Cleveland boy I’m not exactly a Knicks fan. That said if Isaiah Hartenstein can stay healthy this could be the beginning of his coming out party. I was frustrated when the Cavaliers let him go back in 2021. We still need a backup center of his caliber. Though Tristan Thompson is doing well in the role. That said with Evan Mobley out until February Hartenstein could have been useful. The Knicks would be wise to hold on to Hartenstein the way the Timberwolves held on to Naz Reid. They have Karl Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert and still felt the need to pay Reid big money this last off-season. That way they always have 2 high quality big men on the floor .Thing is can Robinson keep his job if Hartenstein has a breakout season?