NBA Rumors: Knicks Set To Make Big Move At Center, Eyeing 2 Top Targets

The New York Knicks have already made a big splash this offseason, with their blockbuster trade for star wing Mikal Bridges. They did, however, take a hit on the free agent market, as they lost a key piece in center Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Knicks are now laser-focused on replacing the big man, looking back to the trade market. Two rising stars, the Houston Rockets' Alperen Sengun and the Detroit Pistons' Jalen Duren are now on their radar, per Marc Berman of the New York Post.

The New York Knicks are showing interest in Jalen Duren and Alperen Sengun, per @NYPost_Berman pic.twitter.com/p2DL9UfjLi
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 10, 2024

Berman notes that Knicks president Leon Rose is "still cooking", and wants to make a big move at center, particularly after watching the Philadelphia 76ers add 9-time All-Star Paul George and bringing back big man Andre Drummond.

"Heard Houston's Sengun has been on the radar," writes Berman, "even Detroit's Jalen Duren. And that was before the Pistons signed Paul Reed". That could be significant because if Detroit has gone out and added a potentially capable young center in Reed, perhaps they might be able to be talked into parting with Duren—for the right price of course.

Neither Sengun nor Duren will come cheaply in a trade. Both made huge advances in their games this past season, Sengun finishing 3rd in Most Improved Player balloting, by jumping to 21.1 points and 5.0 assists per game, while maintaining his strong work on the glass, with 9.3 rebounds.

Duren made huge leaps as well, jumping to 13.8 points per game along with a robust 11.6 rebounds while handing out 2.4 assists per game.

What kind of assets the Knicks could come up with to broker a deal for either of those two remains to be seen.