Knicks may need a trade to keep Bruce Brown alongside a third center

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2026 — Bruce Brown has played his way into the New York Knicks’ final roster conversation, but the defending champions may still need a trade if they want him and a third center at the same time.

According to Ian Begley of SNY, Brown has impressed people inside the organization through training camp and the preseason. Begley said Brown has put himself in a good position to make the roster.

According to Knicks insider Ian Begley, Bruce Brown has made a case to make the Knicks final roster after an impressive training camp and preseason. The question is, if the Knicks sign a center with the 14th spot, who do they move to accommodate Brown?! pic.twitter.com/x1mGReYADC

— Knicks Fan TV 🏀🎥📺🏁 (@KnicksFanTv) October 13, 2026

The roster math problem

The catch is construction. The Knicks are expected to keep a third center behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, with James Wiseman, Drew Eubanks and Tony Bradley still competing for that role, and they currently have only one open roster spot. Begley said New York would have to make a trade to create room for Brown as well.

Pacôme Dadiet and Tyler Kolek have been mentioned as possible trade candidates if the front office looks to free another slot. No deal has been reported, and no player has been confirmed as available.

Brunson’s endorsement and the numbers so far

Jalen Brunson has also spoken positively about what Brown can add, saying earlier this week that Brown brings a lot of things that can help the group. Through two preseason appearances, Brown has averaged 3.0 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 10.2 minutes while shooting 50 percent from the field, according to reports.

Coach Mike Brown has separately said Wiseman, Eubanks and Bradley have all shown they belong in the NBA, which keeps the third-center call tight even before Brown’s case is layered on.

Why a trade is in play

New York is already navigating second-apron limits, and owner James Dolan has said the team will not cross that line. That pressure makes filling both a wing spot for Brown and a third big-man seat without moving someone else difficult.

The regular-season roster deadline arrives before opening night, so any move to keep both Brown and a third center would need to come soon. For now, the reporting establishes an internal push for Brown and a structural problem, not a completed roster decision.

WhyNBA Sports Desk

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