Story by
Knicks just lost a cheap piece they may regret
- Story by
- Knicks just lost a cheap piece they may regret
Ariel Hukporti celebrates after a Knicks Finals win. Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect.
Most Knicks fans are going to shrug at Ariel Hukporti leaving for Philadelphia. I get it. He was never the guy closing Finals games or selling jerseys. I still hate losing a cheap, playable big when the frontcourt has already changed this much.
Hukporti signed a one-year deal with the 76ers after two seasons in New York. He played 54 regular-season games last year and averaged 2.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 9.2 minutes because he had a small job. Sometimes you only need 12 survivable minutes from a backup center, a few rebounds and someone who knows where to stand.
Advertisement
I do not think the Ariel Hukporti departure wrecks anything. I think it removes a cheap layer of protection. Mitchell Robinson is in Boston, Andre Drummond is new, and Karl-Anthony Towns is still the main event at center. The frontcourt has had a lot change around one position in one summer.
Ariel Hukporti at the Knicks championship parade. Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect.
I think the Knicks will miss the boring minutes
Hukporti gave New York a playable emergency option. He could set a screen, rebound his area, protect the rim for a short shift and keep the starters from eating every minute in January. That role is not glamorous until Karl-Anthony Towns needs a night off or the backup gets hit with early fouls.
Advertisement
Philadelphia makes complete sense for him. A young center wants a real chance to play, and New York could not promise that. I would have liked to keep him around anyway, because cheap bigs who can survive regular-season basketball are worth more than people admit.
The Knicks' frontcourt has less margin now
Drummond is a real addition and the Knicks earned trust after last season. I am not worried about the starting group. I am looking at the nights where the bench has to eat minutes, the schedule gets ugly and there is no clean answer left.
Hukporti will not decide the East. He could absolutely be the guy the Knicks miss on a random Tuesday when Towns sits and Drummond is in foul trouble. Those are the small losses that do not look like much in July and become irritating by January.
Advertisement
Related Headlines
