The New York Knicks have stuffed one among their greatest offseason wants, agreeing to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with veteran heart Andre Drummond, in keeping with ESPN’s Shams Charania. The signing comes after backup heart Mitchell Robinson departed in free agency, giving the defending NBA champions an skilled substitute behind Karl-Anthony Cities.
Charania reported Friday that Drummond agreed to the veteran minimal deal after New York prioritized including a confirmed rebounder to its frontcourt.
Robinson signed a three-year, $47.4 million contract with the Boston Celtics earlier in free company, whereas reserve heart Ariel Hukporti also left for the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving the Knicks skinny on the place.
Drummond, 32, arrives with one of many NBA’s most achieved rebounding resumes. Throughout 14 seasons with the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls, he has averaged 12.1 factors, 11.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks whereas capturing 53.9% from the sector in 967 profession video games. He’s a two-time All-Star and has led the league in rebounds 4 occasions.
Whereas now not the offensive point of interest he was throughout his prime in Detroit, Drummond remained a productive reserve for Philadelphia final season. He appeared in 63 video games, making 25 begins, and averaged 6.4 factors, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in simply 19.5 minutes per recreation. He additionally expanded his vary, flattening 35.6% of his 1.4 three-point makes an attempt per recreation after hardly ever trying photographs from past the arc earlier in his profession.
Rebounding has persistently been Drummond’s best energy. Even in a lowered function, he averaged 3.2 offensive rebounds per recreation in 2025-26, offering second-chance alternatives that match properly alongside a Knicks lineup constructed round environment friendly half-court scorers akin to Jalen Brunson and Cities.
The transfer additionally provides New York one other skilled choice to handle Cities’ workload through the common season. Cities began all 75 of his appearances final season, averaging 20.1 factors and 11.9 rebounds whereas incomes one other All-Star choice. Robinson had served as the first backup, averaging 5.7 factors and eight.8 rebounds in 19.6 minutes earlier than leaving in free company.
New York enters the 2026-27 season after successful the franchise’s first NBA championship since 1973. The Knicks completed 53-29 through the common season earlier than defeating the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs to seize the title.
The entrance workplace has largely centered on preserving that championship core whereas remaining under the NBA’s restrictive second apron. Along with signing Drummond, the Knicks re-signed Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado, retained Mohamed Diawara, and added second-round draft picks Jack Kayil and Tyler Nickel whereas accumulating future draft property via a sequence of draft-night trades.
