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New York Knicks: Five options at center in 2020 NBA Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

Potential New York Knicks target James Wiseman #32 of the Memphis Tigers walks up court during the first half of the game against the Oregon Ducks between the Oregon Ducks and Memphis Grizzlies at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Potential New York Knicks target James Wiseman #32 of the Memphis Tigers walks up court during the first half of the game against the Oregon Ducks between the Oregon Ducks and Memphis Grizzlies at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
Potential New York Knicks target Daniel Oturu #25 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers shoots a free throw in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on March 04, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Daniel Oturu, Minnesota Golden Gophers

As established, the New York Knicks don’t need to find a carbon copy of Mitchell Robinson in order to acquire a serviceable backup. Another option—and perhaps a more appealing alternative—would be to find a player who offers value in areas that Robinson currently doesn’t.

That brings the Knicks to second-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive Team selectee Daniel Oturu, who could be one of the biggest steals of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Oturu, a 6’9″ and 240-pound center from Brooklyn, brings it on both ends of the floor. In 2019-20, he averaged 20.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game, shooting 56.3 percent from the field and 70.7 percent from the free throw line—up from 61.5 percent as a freshman.

Oturu also converted 19 three-point field goals during the 2019-20 season after attempting just two as a freshman—a clear sign of his desire to improve.

If Oturu can legitimize his outside shot without compromising his interior value, he could be a major asset for the Knicks. It even stands to reason that he and Robinson could play alongside one another, with Robinson’s versatility and Oturu’s shot-blocking blending well.

The goal may be to find a backup, but pursuing Oturu may provide the Knicks with something even greater: A true complement to a core contributor.

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