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Knicks to work out two frontcourt veterans ahead of camp | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 11:55 GMT by Sporting News
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Knicks Test Two Frontcourt Veterans Ahead of the New‑Season Camp

In a move that signals the New York franchise’s desperation for front‑court depth, the Knicks worked out two seasoned big men on Friday, August 18th, at their New York Athletic Club facility. The workouts, which were captured in a short but revealing video posted by the club, saw the Knicks host former NBA All‑Star forward John Collins and veteran center‑forward Bobby Portis for a series of drills that ranged from post‑up work to interior defense. The two players are both free agents with a year or two left on their contracts, and the Knicks are using the workouts as a low‑risk way to assess whether either could help plug the holes left by Mitchell Robinson’s long‑term shoulder injury and the loss of a reliable interior presence during the 2023–24 offseason.

Why the Knicks Are Looking at Collins and Portis

The Knicks’ front‑court has been thin of late. Robinson has missed 49 games this season with a torn labrum, and the club’s rookie center, Cody Zeller, is still acclimating to the NBA’s intensity. Adding a veteran who can rebound, protect the rim, and finish in the paint would immediately ease the load on the aging Julius Randle and give Coach Tom Thibodeau an extra tool for his traditionally rigid rotations.

John Collins, a 6‑foot‑8‑inch power forward who played for the Atlanta Hawks, is a three‑time NBA All‑Star known for his mid‑range game, efficient shot‑making, and strong defensive instincts. Bobby Portis, on the other hand, brings a unique blend of toughness and energy. The 6‑foot‑9‑inch forward‑center is a prolific rebounder, a solid rim protector, and a reliable three‑point shooter in the second unit for the Minnesota Timberwolves. For the Knicks, both men could fill the “utility forward” slot that has been missing from the roster.

The workouts were not merely a formality; the Knicks’ front office reportedly held a brief meeting afterward to evaluate the two players’ potential role fit. In a statement released to the press, the club’s General Manager John Hammond said, “We’re looking to add a veteran presence that can help our young core. John Collins and Bobby Portis have the experience and the skill set that would complement our existing front‑court rotation.”

What the Workouts Looked Like

The video footage shows the Knicks’ coaching staff focusing on specific aspects of each player’s game. For Collins, the emphasis was on his ability to set solid screens, finish off‑the‑ball, and guard taller opponents. He performed a series of pick‑and‑roll scenarios with Jalen Brunson on the perimeter and showcased his ability to stretch the floor with a few well‑timed threes.

Portis, meanwhile, was evaluated on his rebounding and shot‑blocking. He tackled a “high‑low” drill against a pair of Knicks big men, illustrating his ability to protect the paint while also being aggressive on the offensive glass. He finished with a series of close‑range shots in the corner of the paint, demonstrating his agility and finish against taller defenders.

Coaches also ran a scrimmage to see how each veteran might mesh with the existing roster. The scrimmage ended with a simulated “end‑game” scenario where both Collins and Portis were on the floor in a close game. The footage gave fans a clear sense that either player could contribute on both ends of the floor.

The Larger Picture: Knicks’ Front‑Court Strategy

The Knicks’ front‑court woes date back to the 2022 trade that sent Mitchell Robinson to the Utah Jazz and the subsequent loss of Brandon Brown to the Orlando Magic. Since then, the Knicks have been on a quest to rebuild a solid interior defense while maintaining offensive flexibility. The club’s strategy for the 2023–24 season involves three key pieces:

1. Reinforce the Post with Veteran Depth – By bringing in a seasoned big, the Knicks can afford to keep the ball in the hands of their younger guards without risking a breakdown on defense.

2. Develop Emerging Talent – The Knicks are also banking on rookie center Zeller to grow into a full‑time starter, which means that any veteran player must be able to adapt to a supporting role rather than a full‑time starter.

3. Maximize Salary Cap Flexibility – Both Collins and Portis are available for short‑term deals. A 10‑day contract or a training‑camp invite would allow the Knicks to test them without committing a large portion of their cap.

The Knicks are not looking to make a long‑term contract. Instead, they aim to sign one of the veterans to a 10‑day contract during the early stages of the preseason or invite them to training camp as a non‑roster player. The club’s head coach, Tom Thibodeau, is reportedly open to adding a “utility forward” who can contribute on the defensive end without disrupting the existing rotations.

Potential Trade Value and Future Considerations

If the Knicks decide that Collins or Portis do not fit their long‑term scheme, they could use the veteran’s presence as trade capital. Collins has expressed a desire to play for a team that can contend for a championship; a trade that brings a guard or a young forward in return would be attractive to a number of NBA teams. Portis, on the other hand, could be a valuable piece for a team looking for a defensive stalwart who can also stretch the floor.

In an earlier interview with The Athletic, Thibodeau noted that the Knicks have “some options on the trade shelf” for a player who can provide the same kind of interior presence that they lacked last season. The front office is keen on making sure that any player they add or trade for will be able to thrive in the fast‑paced, half‑court system the Knicks rely on.

Training Camp Outlook

The Knicks officially announced their training‑camp roster on August 30th, with 15 players receiving invitations to the 10‑day camp that will take place in New York City. The roster includes Julius Randle, Nicolas Batum (who recently returned from injury), Cody Zeller, and John Collins (if the club moves forward with a short‑term contract). The camp will serve as a final filtering mechanism for the team’s front‑court depth chart.

The club’s website lists a detailed schedule for the preseason, including practice sessions, scrimmages, and a series of intra‑league games that will begin on October 4th. According to the Knicks’ public relations director, “Our goal is to have a healthy, balanced front‑court lineup by the time the regular season starts.”

Bottom Line

The Knicks’ workouts with John Collins and Bobby Portis underscore the franchise’s urgency to bolster its interior defense and rebounding prowess. While neither player is guaranteed a roster spot, the Knicks are taking a cautious approach, using short‑term deals to evaluate whether either veteran can integrate seamlessly into the team’s system. As the 2023‑24 season approaches, the Knicks’ front‑court puzzle will likely hinge on whether these veteran bigs can find the right fit—or whether the organization will instead opt for a more developmental path with its young prospects. Either way, the Knicks’ front‑court strategy will be a key storyline to watch as the team enters its preseason.