As the Knicks grapple with injuries to Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims, they’re beginning to look for options to add to their frontcourt depth — which currently consists of Isaiah Hartenstein and Taj Gibson — according to SNY’s Ian Begley (Twitter link). One such option, per Begley, is Dmytro Skapintsev, who is currently playing for New York’s G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks.
Skapintsev, 25, went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft after spending his young professional career in Ukraine. He began playing for the Knicks’ G League affiliate in 2022 and has played there since. Skapintsev played in the 2023 NBA Summer League for the Knicks, then signed an Exhibit 10 contract with New York over the summer before being waived and re-joining Westchester.
In 12 Showcase Cup games with Westchester, Skapintsev averages 5.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 18.9 minutes per game.
The Knicks don’t currently have a standard contract opening, but a feasible way to have Skapintsev join the rotation could be by replacing one of their two-way contract players with him until Sims, who is expected to be out one-to-two weeks, comes back.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Sixers superstar center Joel Embiid is on a tear over the past month, averaging 41.4 points and 12.9 rebounds through eight games in December. Embiid scored 51 points against the Timberwolves — the top defensive team in the league — in a 14-point Sixers victory on Wednesday. “He’s unstoppable, man,” guard Anthony Edwards said per Star Tribune’s Chris Hine. “I don’t see how they lose a game, honestly. I don’t see how they lose.“
- After a strong start to the season, Sixers forward Tobias Harris has regressed on the offensive side of the ball, writes The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey. Harris finished with nine points in Wednesday’s win over the Wolves and he’s averaging 11.3 points in his past 11 games. Pompey opines that while Philadelphia’s two-man game of Embiid and Tyrese Maxey is working well now, they need Harris to step up in order to find long-term success.
- Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr. was upgraded to probable for Brooklyn’s Friday game against the Nuggets, tweets the New York Post’s Brian Lewis. Smith hasn’t played since Dec. 6 while dealing with a back injury. On the year, he’s been limited to 13 games and is averaging 6.7 points and 3.5 assists in those outings.
I’m convinced that Skapintsev is better than at least half the guys who’s names are being floated around, and I haven’t even seen him play.
Knicks need a vet presence at C. Sims is still a youngster. Has potential.
Sims is 25. A 4 year college player, now in year 3 in Thibs’ system. If he can’t see 15-20 mpg now, when will he be able to? He did well in a similar role when Mitch missed games last year. I have no issue giving him a chance to show he can extend it for an entire season. Problem now is he’s also out for a week or two.
Before Sims got hurt, he was playing 18-21 minutes per game after Mitch got injured.
I have and all I can say is DYMYTRO DYMTRO. He is a Hartenstien clone and is where Isaiah was at when he first came up with the Clippers.
I pit Isaiah in charge of his development in my summer first and second summer team write up.
DeM and Drummond to Knickerbockers …..
Sixers have really surprised me. I thought they might drop out of top4. They are playing good ball. Embiid is playing like the MVP. East is looking good.
No.
Knicks will add a body until Sims is ready to rotate with Taj. Hartenstein is the guy now for the Knicks, and right now he is getting it done. Thibs is gonna stick with his guys. Randle will play some 5. So will Hart. They will add a temporary body.
If you go back to even to Thibs with the Bulls, when they were winning with Jimmy, Joakim and D-Rose, they got pummeled by injuries, and kept winning games. Every time somebody went down Thibs gave a standard answer ….. “We will play with what we’ve got. We have enough!”
Bulls are not something to talk about. When it comes to comparing injuries.
Thibs is gonna stick with “his” guys. When a frontcourt opening became available, the Knicks didn’t start calling around the league. They called Taj, who was sitting at home. A guy who Thibs trusts.
No one cares. This ain’t about Thibs. You lose your biggest piece on your Defense. Then you have to try and replace the production. Taj is a backup at best. Sims is still young and raw. A vet makes this work better. For Taj and Sims too.
This is a Rose decision…. Thibs will be in.
Thibs and Rose pretty much move as one. This is everything about Thibs. This is how he likes to coach his team. “His” guys. The “production” has been replaced by Hartenstein. Neither Mitch nor Hartenstein scores. Hartenstein right now is good for 10+ boards and 2-3 blocked shots per night. He’s blocking more shots than Mitch. Who else is stepping in and doing that right now via trade??? Andre Drummond??? Precious Achiuwa??? Vucevic (No Rim Protection, 3 years, $60 million)???? Nobody! Thibs will stick with what he has got. He has enough!
I like bringing Drummond AND Demar. Drummond Is still rebounding at a hall of fame level pero minute. The thing Is he plays 15-16 mpg ir less, but he’s still averaging like Seven boards per game. His rebounding and Sims shotblocking could be a very interesting defensive pairing. Hartenstein Is giving almost the same box Score numbers as Mitch. That’s very good.
If we can bring DeMar too, it would be awesome. It’s Time to dangle Fournier’s contract.
Knicks want to show up in playoffs. They need a big. Also a backup PF. Mitch was the biggest part of the Defense. The anchor, the rim protector. That is not easy to replace. Good depth at the position, helps you. This is the year for improvement.
Not easy to replace a rim protector who can switch at all. It is also quite difficult to find. Jericho Sims is a more than solid developmental piece for that type of role. If a clear upgrade becomes available, the Knicks will listen. They will not make a lateral move.