Tom Thibodeau Considers Julius Randle at Center

As the New York Knicks prepare for the 2024-2025 NBA season, head coach Tom Thibodeau has acknowledged the challenge of replacing former center Isaiah Hartenstein, who has left for the Oklahoma City Thunder. In a recent interview with NBA.com, Thibodeau hinted at the possibility of utilizing Julius Randle in a center role for short stretches, stating, 'I don’t want to do that for long stretches, but to have him do it for 10 or 15 minutes, I think he can do it well.' Randle's versatility could provide offensive advantages, although concerns remain about the depth behind starting center Mitchell Robinson, who has a history of injuries. With the team aiming for a championship run, Thibodeau's strategy will involve a committee approach to the center position, including potential contributions from Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa. Despite the challenges, Thibodeau remains optimistic about exploring different lineup combinations as the Knicks look to build on their recent successes.