High-Flying Center Who's Still Unsigned Is Worth a Knicks Tryout

The New York Knicks have had five total Dunk Contest wins in their history—Kenny Walker, Nate Robinson (x3) and Obi Toppin—and they could add the event's reigning winner as they seek out big man help.

Keshad Johnson, who won last year's competition, remains on the market in this late stage of free agency. With training camp in September now much closer on the horizon, it's time for the Knicks to determine who they want to bring in for a closer look, whether as an outright signing or a tryout during the preseason.

Johnson's unique athleticism, and hints that he may be able to assist in other areas, might just make New York be willing to take a chance on him. Less because of his recent hardware, and more so to help answer their biggest need right now, which is center depth.

Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson (16) poses with Heat general partner Micky Arison (left) and former Heat coach Pat Riley after winning the slam dunk contest during NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Keshad Johnson's hints of potential deserve closer look by Knicks

Where the Knicks are currently heading into this season, after having a two-headed monster in Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson for the majority of last campaign, is a bit depressing. Andre Drummond is by no means a perfect replacement, and the entire absence of a third-string center currently will be a much larger issue if it's not addressed.

The combination of Drummond and potentially Johnson right behind him on the depth chart wouldn't be the devastating force on the boards that KAT and Robinson were, but there is potential there for the Knicks.

In two seasons with the Heat, Johnson averaged just 1.9 rebounds per game. It's a minuscule number, but that's because he averaged 8.8 minutes last year and 6.1 the year before. The 24-year-old still hasn't had much of a chance to prove himself in the league, though, and seeing as the Knicks are thin at center, he could be a diamond in the rough.

In college, where Johnson averaged 20.5 minutes per game for San Diego State and Arizona, he averaged 4.5 rebounds per game. During his senior year in Arizona, when he played the most minutes of his collegiate career, he averaged 5.9 rebounds per game.

College and the NBA are obviously completely different levels of competition, but there's a chance that his ability to catch boards like that just never got to play out while in Miami.

Every in-game dunk by Keshad “Showtime” Johnson so far in his NBA career pic.twitter.com/PmZ7OWnI8J
— 🌴🇺🇸🇨🇴🌴 (@Birdey954theWin) February 16, 2026

When Johnson got a chance to play 29 minutes last November, he showed flashes of what he can potentially be against the Bulls. In that game, he played 29.5 minutes, scored 14 points, had 11 total rebounds, and two blocks. He made two threes, as well.

Johnson likely won't get many opportunities to play 29 minutes in New York, but its center depth is so bad at the moment that he might get some extended looks to showcase what he can do. At a minimum, they could bring him in for camp just to see how well he would fit. He could be part of an entire tryout group where the Knicks put several center options in a competition, with hopefully one emerging above the rest.

With his unreal hops, Johnson would bring a special element to training camp that could cause headaches for other players, both on offense and defense. His flirtation with three-point shooting is also worth exploring, as he seems to be motivated to be more than just a dunker.

Robinson leaves behind a lob and above-the-rim element that neither Towns nor Drummond are capable of filling in current day, but Johnson has the profile to fill that hole.

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