The New York Knicks are considering a major move for a young center with high potential, despite already making a significant trade by acquiring Mikal Bridges in exchange for five first-round picks. According to Marc Berman, a veteran New York insider, Knicks president Leon Rose is looking to negotiate with Detroit and Houston for their promising frontcourt players.
Berman noted, “Leon Rose was in the front row of the press conference yesterday with Mikal’s mother. He didn’t speak, but he’s still working on making a big center move after Philly’s two additions. Houston’s Sengun and Detroit’s Jalen Duren are on the radar, even before the Pistons signed Paul Reed.”
Both the Pistons and Rockets have other players that could hinder the future of Jalen Duren and Alperen Sengun. Houston, although lacking a long-term starting center, has veteran Steven Adams and Jabari Smith Jr., who is better suited as a power forward despite being the same height as Sengun. Detroit has committed $60 million over four years to Isaiah Stewart, making it uncertain if Duren will become their long-term starting center, though other teams are interested in his rebounding skills.
Sengun, 21, and Duren, 20, would be significant upgrades for the Knicks, potentially developing into star players under Tom Thibodeau. Duren’s 2023-24 stats include 13.8 PPG, 11.6 RPG, and 0.8 BPG, while Sengun’s stats are 21.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 5 APG, 0.7 BPG, and 1.2 SPG. With Isaiah Hartenstein leaving in free agency and Mitchell Robinson involved in trade rumors, acquiring either Sengun or Duren would greatly strengthen the Knicks’ starting lineup.
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