Knicks reportedly agree to one-year deal with veteran center Andre Drummond as backup option

The New York Knicks have reportedly reached an agreement with veteran center Andre Drummond on a one-year contract, a move aimed at tightening their rotation at the position of greatest need after Mitchell Robinson left for the Boston Celtics in free agency. The deal is described as worth $3.9 million for the season, with ESPN’s Shams Charania cited in the initial report.

Drummond, 15th-year NBA veteran, enters New York as a classic back-up big. He is expected to provide size, rebounding, and low-post scoring options in a supporting role, particularly in minutes where the Knicks want to keep games controlled without asking their starters to play every possession. While the Knicks’ roster construction can vary by matchup, the core idea of the signing is straightforward: replace Robinson’s minutes and production profile at center with someone who has been a regular contributor for years.

The contract also reflects Drummond’s continued evolution into a more flexible big. Reporting from Philadelphia outlets over the past day noted that over the last two seasons, Drummond averaged 19.2 minutes, 6.8 points, and 8.2 rebounds per game, and added that he improved his three-point shooting as his role changed. That matters for a team like New York because perimeter-oriented defenses can force traditional centers to space the floor, at least enough to keep help defenders honest.

There is also history behind the timing. Drummond was with the Philadelphia 76ers before this reported move, and his tenure there has been marked by role shifts and availability questions, according to coverage referenced by other outlets. The Knicks’ interest indicates they are comfortable using him as a situational center who can start, spot-start, or close out stretches depending on matchups, even if he is not envisioned as a long-term franchise anchor.

For the Knicks, the signing becomes part of a larger summer theme in which the roster’s depth is being rebalanced. Robinson’s move to Boston changes what New York can count on in the middle, and Drummond’s agreement is a direct response to that void. If the Knicks finalize the deal as reported, their center rotation likely becomes more experienced, even if it requires coaching emphasis on defensive positioning and transition responsibilities against the league’s faster attacks.

The immediate watch item will be how the Knicks plan Drummond’s minutes once training camp arrives. With multiple bigs in a typical NBA rotation, his effectiveness will likely be measured by whether New York can pair him with guards and wings who cover his defensive limitations, while also taking advantage of his rebounding and inside scoring when opponents defend the paint. Another key question is whether Drummond’s spacing development carries over in New York’s system.

Beyond New York’s internal picture, the move has league-wide ripple effects. Boston’s acquisition of Robinson, paired with New York’s response, underscores how much these summer transactions can shape how teams match up against each other in the regular season and, later, in the playoffs. As of now, the Drummond agreement is reported rather than confirmed by the Knicks in an official release, so additional verification from the team or league transaction log would remove any remaining uncertainty.