3 Knicks players that need to have strong showings to close out preseason

2: Jericho Sims

Like Miles McBride, six-foot-nine Jericho Sims is going to likely end up getting buried in the Knicks’ rotation this season. New York converted his two-way contract to a standard deal during the offseason, but the team also signed free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein. With Mitchell Robinson staying in New York, Sims won’t be seeing a lot of playing time barring a sudden change.

Sims missed the Knicks’ first preseason game with a sore groin, but on Friday, he made his first appearance of the 2022-23 season and finished with six rebounds and four points in 13 minutes.

The 23-year-old spends a chunk of his time on the court above the rim. Obi Toppin’s dunks stole the show a few nights ago, but don’t forget about Sims’ vertical.

Sims being at the bottom of the team’s rotation speaks volumes about New York’s depth, especially the team’s depth at center. Robinson played in a career-high 72 games last season but has battled injuries in the past. The Knicks made the right decision to convert Sims’ two-way, although he isn’t going to see the court as much as he should.

Before the regular season begins next week, let’s see what Sims can do in the final two preseason contests where he’s guaranteed to get minutes.