Jericho Sims, recently removed from the Knicks’ rotation and inactive Monday due to back spasms, is being shopped ahead of next month’s trade deadline, NBA sources who have been in touch told the Post with the team.
The center, one of the franchise’s longest-tenured players, has been in and out of the rotation and was recently replaced by Ariel Hukporti on a “game-by-game” basis, according to Tom Thibodeau.
Sims has also started three games this season – all missed by Karl-Anthony Towns due to injuries.
It’s unclear what exactly the Knicks can fetch for Sims, but a source said a second-round pick is a question. The 26-year-old has attracted some interest in the NBA.
But he’s also a tough sell on the market as a non-rotation player who will become a free agent this summer.
The Knicks could also add another center this season, Mitchell Robinson, who Thibodeau said remains on track to return to practice this month after a lengthy recovery from ankle surgery.
Sims’ future could also be tied to Robinson’s return, and whether it will be before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, a source said.
However, Robinson still hasn’t started sprinting.
“It’s the next step,” the coach said. “He’s doing some light shots right now.”
Sims’ remaining contract is only worth $2.1 million and expires. The Knicks, who play above the first apron, cannot recover more salary than what they send.
The 58th pick in the 2021 draft, Sims represented the Knicks’ only frontcourt reserve in the rotation through the first 20 games of this season as Precious Achiuwa sat with a hamstring strain.
Sims’ offense remained tough, but his paint defense drew constant praise from Thibodeau.
While Towns was nursing knee soreness, Sims started last week’s loss to the Magic and logged 29 minutes with 10 rebounds.
He played four minutes two nights later in a win over the Raptors, then became the Knicks’ lone DNP in games against the Thunder and Bucks.
His late scratch Monday with a back injury was not related to any impending trade, a source said.
Instead of using Sims as reserve minutes in the two games leading up to Monday’s matchup against the Pistons, Thibodeau turned to Hukporti, the 22-year-old German.
Hukporti’s one-year contract became fully guaranteed Friday.
“Exactly where we are,” Thibodeau said. “I just look at different things.”
Sims’ advantage lies in his elite athleticism. He’s a former Slam Dunk competitor who can clear the rim with his head.
However, Sims is limited offensively and never earned Thibodeau’s trust to expand his game beyond setting screens, crashing boards and dunks.
He’s averaging a career-low this season in points (1.7) and minutes (11.6) while playing in 32 games.
The depth of New York’s frontcourt has been a key question since the preseason, when Robinson’s recovery from a second ankle surgery slowed.
A source said the Knicks are exploring trades for frontcourt depth — but are simultaneously shopping Sims.