Knicks Might End Up With a New Center After Cavaliers' Blockbuster Trade

Wednesday night, the Cavaliers made headlines by adding promising youngster Peyton Watson to their core. As part of the multi-team trade, the Nuggets received two-way player Julian Reese (the younger brother of WNBA star Angel Reese), but plan to waive him, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

As part of the deal, the Cavaliers are sending Tre Mann, the 2027 second-rounder from the Clippers and cash to the Washington Wizards for Cam Whitmore, sources said. The Wizards also are sending Julian Reese to the Nuggets, who will waive Reese off his two-way deal.

Mann fills a… https://t.co/8YzgVqheoy
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 20, 2026

Though Reese is only a small part of this deal, it is of note to the Knicks, who are still scouring the market for another big man or two. Reese instantly becomes the most intriguing name among a mostly barren free agent landscape that is headlined by Nick Richards, Mason Plumlee, Bismack Biyombo, Drew Eubanks and Tony Bradley.

Julian Reese is a standout rebounder and that has value to the Knicks

The 6-foot-9 big man is a bit too small for what the Knicks need, but "Juju" showcased his rebounding prowess during some late-season run with the Wizards.

Reese's 113 rebounds were the most by a player in their first ten career games this century. He also tied Shaquille O'Neal as the fastest player to reach 100 career rebounds since 1992. Meanwhile, the youngster also tied O'Neal and Tim Duncan as the only players over the last 40 years with a 20-rebound game in their first five appearances.

Even though it’s hard to put stock in numbers accumulated during the last days of a tanking season, Reese was historically great on the glass, which at least hints at some real upside for the youngster.

Wizards undrafted rookie Julian “JuJu” Reese 18 PTS (5-7 FG, 8-8 FT), 20 REB (10 offensive), 2 AST, 1 STL vs. Jazz in 3rd career NBA game

Most rebounds in a game by a rookie this season https://t.co/YHTfo0oQ84 pic.twitter.com/8LuwaLQgxT
— Role Player Performances (@BenchHighlights) March 6, 2026

Going from a G League call-up to setting the rookie season-high for rebounds in just his third NBA game is the definition of making the most of an opportunity. Games are never meaningless and there’s always someone watching.

Motor, effort and energy are things that can’t be taught. Neither is a nose for the ball. Just ask Dennis Rodman, who was only listed as 6-foot-7. Reese understands the power of angles, is relentless in pursuing the ball and has a knack for being in the right spot at the right time.

In 13 games for the Wizards (10 of which were starts), Reese averaged 11.8 points and 10.5 rebounds in 30.9 minutes. He gobbled up 4.2 offensive rebounds per game and played the majority of the time at center despite being undersized.

When the Wizards signed Reese away from the Raptors' G League affiliate in late February, some said it was just a bit bringing a local kid home. Many dismissed the former Maryland standout as just "Angel Reese's brother," but the younger sibling put himself on the NBA radar and displayed how rebounding runs in the family.

The Reeses are the first brother-sister duo in NBA/WNBA history to each have a 20-rebound game in their respective leagues. Both accomplished the feat as rookies and show just how crazy genetics are.

Rebounding has always been Julian's calling card. In high school, in college, in the G League and during his first taste of the Association. His returning League rights belong to Raptors 905 and a team would need to trade for those rights if he can't secure at least a two-way deal elsewhere.

The Knicks are the only team in the league with all three of their two-way spots open. Reese might not be able to fill the historically great offensive rebounding shoes of Mitchell Robinson right away, but his potential there is glaring and worth taking a chance on.

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