Andre Drummond is making early impressions for Knicks, earning praise for communication on the floor

In his first stretch with New York as Karl-Anthony Towns’ backup at center, Drummond has drawn attention in the preseason for how he talks and organizes the back line as the Knicks search for reliable minutes at the position.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

Andre Drummond is entering his 15th NBA season with a specific job in mind for the New York Knicks, and early looks suggest he is already leaning into the details. In three preseason games with the Knicks, Drummond has been getting positive feedback internally for his communication and floor awareness, with at least one report describing his on-court messaging as “unbelievable” and the organization as “really excited” about what they have seen.

The context matters because New York has relied on center play as a stabilizing force in both ends of the floor. Drummond signed a veteran minimum deal in the offseason, a clear report that the Knicks were not searching for a long-term project, but for dependable experience who can handle a defined role. That role is largely about complementing Karl-Anthony Towns, who is expected to anchor the frontcourt, while Drummond provides backup minutes at center.

With Mitchell Robinson having departed, the Knicks faced a practical rotation question: who can spell the starter, how quickly can the team switch defensive assignments, and can the player arriving off the bench keep the scheme intact. Drummond’s fit is built around readiness and reinforcement, and the preseason feedback points to him doing more than just occupying a spot on the depth chart.

Last season, Drummond appeared with the Philadelphia 76ers and averaged 19.5 minutes per game, a workload described as his most since 2021-22. The preseason buzz in New York is that this kind of role-and-readiness skill set translates into games where he is not asked to carry the team, but is expected to keep the Knicks’ defensive structure from drifting when starters rest.

In that limited-manage minutes framework, communication becomes a multiplier. A backup big often has to manage timing, talk through matchups, and help teammates understand who is taking space, who is switching, and who is communicating help. The report’s emphasis on Drummond’s communication suggests the Knicks believe he can provide that connective tissue without needing the ball as much as primary scorers.

What to watch next is whether those preseason observations hold up once the rotation tightens in the regular season. Preseason games can exaggerate certain strengths, especially for veteran players trying to demonstrate a specific value quickly. Still, for a team built to win with structure, the idea of having a center who can coordinate the back line while accepting a limited, defined role is the kind of “behind-the-scenes” adjustment that can matter over a long NBA year.

Why It Matters

If Drummond’s communication translates to the regular season, it can stabilize New York’s rotations when starters sit and help prevent defensive breakdowns.
A clear backup center role reduces uncertainty, which is especially important for a team building around consistent schemes rather than constant lineup experimentation.
The Knicks’ investment in a veteran minimum option suggests they are prioritizing reliability in specific matchups rather than development.
The early emphasis on communication hints the Knicks may value command and structure as much as raw production from their bench center.

Sources

Key Facts

Andre Drummond is in his first preseason stretch with the New York Knicks after signing a veteran minimum deal in the offseason.
The Knicks report being encouraged by Drummond’s communication and floor awareness in three preseason games.
New York is planning to use Drummond primarily as Karl-Anthony Towns’ backup at center.
Mitchell Robinson’s departure is described as the reason New York needed a new backup option at the position.
In his most recent full regular season with the Philadelphia 76ers, Drummond averaged 19.5 minutes per game, his most since 2021-22.