Knicks' Future Unknown for Jericho Sims

Jericho Sims is in limbo with the New York Knicks.
Mar 12, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Jericho Sims (45) rebounds in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Cameron Payne (22) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Mar 12, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Jericho Sims (45) rebounds in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Cameron Payne (22) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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New York Knicks center Jericho Sims is entering the final year of his contract, but he has a chance to make a major splash this season.

With Isaiah Hartenstein signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder and no true replacement for him found, the Knicks could rely on Sims at some point in the season to fill the void.

However, SNY insider Ian Begley doesn't believe the Knicks have a ton of glowing confidence in Sims to be their center of the future.

"The Knicks have been gauging their options at center," Begley writes. "So that could give you a little insight into where they are on Sims. Unless I’m reading too much into it, the Knicks’ actions suggest that they’re not fully confident with Sims as a second or third center at this point. Maybe Sims changes their mind with a strong training camp/preseason."

Sims, 25, is making just over $2 million this season for the Knicks, so there isn't a massive investment regardless of which direction he eventually goes in.

The Knicks have seen enough from him though to not sign someone right now, and that should also be a sign that the team has some sort of belief in him. If the Knicks truly felt there was an emergency at the center position because Sims was their backup, team president Leon Rose would have made a move to reflect that. Maybe that move is coming in the weeks leading up to training camp, but it's likely that Sims can go into the preseason with a chance to snatch the backup center role.

If he's given a chance to play this season, Sims needs to seize the moment, because it could lead to the Knicks going for someone else if it doesn't work out.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.