The Knicks don’t need a center, but at the same time, there isn’t much certainty on the roster beyond Mitchell Robinson. The current veterans — Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis — are probably gone next season, and Robinson hasn’t yet proved himself as a true workhorse in the middle. Enter Isaiah Stewart.
This is New York’s second pick, and they’ve already addressed the hole at point guard. Stewart is, in some ways, a more antiquated style of big man, but his production and physical tools are nothing to scoff at.
While Stewart will remain a weak point on defense, he is someone who can step in, score a few buckets in the paint, and split the workload with Robinson as New York’s rebuild drags on. He will score effectively around the rim, rebound his heart out, and block the occasional shot. Maybe that’s good enough for a first-round pick.