Could Knicks Trade for Gafford After Hartenstein Injury?

Since losing starting center Mitchell Robinson to a potential season-ending ankle injury, the New York Knicks have worn thin in the interior.

The team has stayed afloat thanks to strong play from Isaiah Hartenstein, while Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa have helped fill in some gaps. But Hartenstein left Saturday’s win against the Toronto Raptors with a sore ankle, which could intensify the need for another big man.

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With the trade deadline coming on Feb. 8, the Knicks could look to make another move to acquire a center. They’re thus linked to one of the top big men on the market in Washington Wizards starter Daniel Gafford.

“New York has looked at center additions with no set timetable for Mitchell Robinson’s return,” Matt Moore of Action Network writes. “Daniel Gafford is a name they’re interested in, league sources have said.”

Gafford, 25, stands at 6-10 and is averaging 10.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 37 games played. He’s in the first season of a three-year, $40 million deal with Washington, which could be looking to hit the reset button in the midst of a 1-9 streak in the new year. Gafford is arguably one of the best centers available this deadline season but he certainly won’t come cheap.

Considering the idea that the Knicks may want to preserve some of their stronger chips for a bigger deal to acquire a star now or over the summer, they may not be the strongest candidate for Gafford’s services. However, he certainly would upgrade New York’s center rotation as the team gears up for a late-season push and hopeful postseason run.