September 11, 2026 • 9:02 AM EDT
Updated 1 hours ago
Let’s be real — if you’re a Knicks fan, you’ve probably wondered who will back up Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond as training camp approaches. New York still hasn’t landed a traditional third center, and it looks like the carousel for that spot will spin right up to opening night.
Now, add Tony Bradley to the rumour mill. According to Yahoo Sports, veteran big man Bradley has caught the Knicks’ attention. With a couple of empty roster spots left, the Knicks have lined up a battle in training camp – and Bradley seems to be in the mix for that third center slot.
Veteran options are on the table, but the story here is pretty clear. The Knicks have serious faith in their main duo at center. Tony Bradley, or whoever makes the final cut, will be expected to bring experience and stability, but shouldn’t expect a big role straight away. There’s been no secret about where management stands — they trust Towns and Drummond, even with the risk of being thin behind them.
Bradley isn’t as old as you might think, either. The man still has tread on his tyres at 28, despite already logging eight NBA seasons. Last year he split time with Indiana and Atlanta, putting up 4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game — nothing flashy, but you’re not signing him for highlight reels. It’s all about insurance and a steady presence in the locker room.
Digging into career numbers, Bradley’s posted 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds across 234 career appearances. Is that enough to move the needle? Maybe not on paper, but if Towns or Drummond needs a breather, you’d rather have a guy who won’t get rattled. That’s what veteran depth is about — and it can matter during a grind-it-out championship defense.
The Knicks aren’t just looking at Bradley though. SNY’s Ian Begley mentioned that free agents Drew Eubanks and John Konchar are also possible fits. Management’s open-minded, and that’s key with preseason about to heat up — there’s no locked-in favorite for those final slots, just a sense that the best man will win out in camp.
- Knicks remain without a clear third center as camp nears
- Tony Bradley emerges as an option for depth, per reports
- Management trusts Towns and Drummond as main rotation
- Bradley, 28, brings eight years of NBA experience
- Knicks also evaluating Drew Eubanks and John Konchar
- Competition for end-of-bench roles will run through preseason
Why Tony Bradley makes sense — and why the battle’s wide open
If you’re building a roster for a long season, veterans like Bradley make perfect sense. He may not take over games, but he won’t cost you with rookie mistakes either. In short stints, reliability trumps upside at this stage of roster building.
That being said, don’t bet on Bradley walking into a guaranteed spot. With a title defence on the line, every bench seat matters. The Knicks see the final roster as a true contest — and preseason will decide everything from the last center to other utility roles.
Begley summed up New York’s confidence: “The Knicks do not currently have a third center, but there is a strong degree of confidence internally in the Karl-Anthony Towns-Andre Drummond duo at the position.” It’s a straight-shooting assessment that tells you they’re not urgent — but still want a backup plan if things get choppy.
New faces, tough path to minutes
Whether it’s Bradley, Eubanks, Konchar, or a dark horse, expect a real fight in camp. Mike Brown’s rotation isn’t changing overnight, so whoever lands in New York is there to fill a need, not shake up the core. The path to meaningful minutes is narrow, but the chance to make a contribution on a contender is still worth chasing.
Key takeaways
- Knicks are prioritising experience and insurance behind Towns and Drummond
- Tony Bradley’s age and NBA mileage keep him a viable bench option
- No one has the third center spot locked up — camp is an open battle
- Drew Eubanks and John Konchar are also on New York’s radar
- Final roster decisions will come after preseason competition
- Even the winner won’t see heavy minutes unless injuries hit
- The trust in Towns-Drummond means any signing is about depth, not a rotation shakeup
- Veteran stability can make a difference late in the season or playoffs
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