With Isaiah Hartenstein gone, the New York Knicks urgently need a reliable center to anchor their defense.

Tom Thibodeau’s defense relies heavily on rebounding and protecting the rim, and with Hartenstein gone, the team is exploring options for a replacement.

One of the top names being mentioned is Deandre Ayton from the Portland Trail Blazers, and he could be just what the Knicks need to fill that gap.

Let’s discover why Ayton could be a good fit for New York.

Deandre Ayton’s Stats Make Him a Strong Candidate

Ayton’s potential lies in his strong rebounding and defensive skills, which align well with the Knicks’ needs.

According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, the Knicks might target Ayton, the former No. 1 pick.

While his career hasn’t quite met the expectations of being picked ahead of stars like Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ayton’s physical skills make him a strong candidate.

Plus, Portland might consider trading him if their season doesn’t go well.

Last season, Ayton averaged 3.2 offensive rebounds per game, close to Hartenstein’s 3.3, and he finished eighth in the league in total rebounding with 10.9 per game.

Impressively, no Knicks center has averaged double-digit rebounds under Thibodeau, making Ayton’s numbers a potential game-changer.

On defense, Ayton’s ability as a rim protector is evident in his 47.0% defensive field goal percentage, almost identical to Hartenstein’s 47.1%.

Looking at the numbers, it’s clear that Ayton could seamlessly fit into the Knicks’ defensive schemes, helping to maintain the team’s identity of dominating the boards and controlling the paint.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is Ayton’s contract. He’s in the second year of a four-year, $133 million deal, so trading for him wouldn’t be cheap.

Thibodeau’s Backup Plan: Use Multiple Players to Fill the Role

If the Knicks don’t land a player like Ayton, Coach Thibodeau has said he’ll rely on a mix of players to handle the center position.

In an interview with NBA.com, he mentioned the possibility of using Julius Randle as a temporary center for short stretches.

“We have versatility,” Thibodeau said.

“Julius [Randle] could play at the 5 for 10 or 15 minutes. I don’t want him there for long stretches, but he can do it well and create offensive advantages.”

Though the team’s defense is centered on solid rim protection, Thibodeau has had to adjust to injuries over the years.

Mitchell Robinson has been the Knicks’ only consistent center, but his injury history makes it difficult to rely on him alone.

In previous seasons, the Knicks have rotated various centers, including Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa, with mixed results.

Thibodeau Now More Open to Small-Ball Lineups

Thibodeau hasn’t always been a fan of small-ball lineups, especially when it came to pairing Randle with his former backup, Obi Toppin.

However, things have changed, and because of some new roster additions, he’s now more willing to experiment with smaller lineups.

In a recent interview, Thibodeau pointed to the defensive versatility of players like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges as the reason for his new approach.

“OG’s ability to guard big is huge for us. Julius and [Josh] Hart can guard big as well,” Thibodeau explained.

Because of that, the Knicks can cope without a traditional center in certain situations, though it’s clear that they would still prefer a strong rebounder like Ayton.

What It Would Take to Get Ayton: The Cost for the Knicks

With a hefty contract and his role as Portland’s starting center, the Knicks must assess whether Ayton’s performance and fit justify the financial and trade assets required to bring him in.

Portland, which has a surplus of centers, including Robert Williams III and Duop Reath, may be willing to part with Ayton if the right offer comes along.

Their early draft pick of center Donovan Clingan adds to the possibility of an “interior fire sale” by the trade deadline.

That move could present an opportunity for the Knicks if they still seek help in the paint later in the season.

Knicks Must Weigh Their Options

As we can see, the Knicks are in a tough spot at center, and Deandre Ayton could be just the player they need to fill that gap.

His rebounding and defense would fit perfectly with Thibodeau’s system, and his presence could help keep the team competitive in a stacked Eastern Conference.

But Ayton doesn’t come cheap, and the Knicks need to weigh whether giving up assets for him makes sense.

If the Knicks decide to pursue Ayton, it could solve one of their biggest issues as they look to make a deep playoff run.

On the other hand, sticking with their current roster and using multiple players at center might be the safer and more affordable route.

Whatever the choice, the Knicks have some important decisions ahead as they gear up for the new season.

Trades in baseball can be wild, but for Pete Crow-Armstrong, his trade from the New York Mets to the Chicago Cubs in 2021 took him completely by surprise.

Imagine getting traded while recovering from an injury and finding out not from the team but from a FaceTime call with a teammate.

That’s exactly what happened to Pete, and his story is as unexpected as it gets.

Now, a couple of years later, Pete is a rising star with the Cubs, showing off his skills and proving that sometimes a shocking trade can lead to something great.

Let’s dive into how it all went down and what he’s been up to since.

The Unexpected News: “I Thought It Was a Joke”

In a recent interview with Chris Rose on the Rose Rotation, Pete Crow-Armstrong opened up about the moment he learned of his trade.

He revealed that, at the time, he had been recovering from a shoulder injury, not expecting to be part of any trade talks.

“I didn’t feel like I was a part of any trade talks that I had seen on TV or anything like that. Because I was hurt during that time. I had a sling on my shoulder. … I thought it was a joke,” Crow-Armstrong recalled.

Pete Crow-Armstrong thought it was a joke when he was first told that the Mets traded him pic.twitter.com/W68OZCiUjA

— Chris Rose Sports (@ChrisRoseSports) September 16, 2024

Funnily enough, he found out the news from a Mets teammate, Mark Vientos, during a FaceTime call.

Pete and Mark had thought Vientos might be traded, so they agreed to call each other if anything major happened.

But during the call, things got awkward when someone in the background of the Mets clubhouse said, “Pete Crow just got traded?”

That’s when Pete realized the news was about him. He started getting notifications on his phone, confirming he was headed to the Cubs.

Reflecting on that day, Pete made it clear that he had no hard feelings toward the Mets: “I don’t want to put the Mets on blast because I loved my time there.”

The Trade That Redefined the Cubs’ Rebuild

The trade that brought Pete Crow-Armstrong to the Cubs was part of a major shakeup for Chicago in 2021.

In that pivotal move, the Cubs traded beloved star Javier Báez and pitcher Trevor Williams to the Mets in exchange for Crow-Armstrong.

According to MLB.com, Crow-Armstrong was the Mets’ fifth-best prospect at the time and was highly regarded for his defensive abilities and future potential.

That summer, the Cubs made several major moves, including trading key players like Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant.

In a clear turning point, the team was moving away from the core group that led them to their first World Series win 108 years back in 2016.

Javier Báez, in particular, had been a fan favorite with an impressive resume that included a World Series title, a National League Championship Series MVP, and two All-Star selections.

Despite this, he only played 47 games for the Mets before moving on to the Detroit Tigers, where he has struggled in recent seasons, batting just .184 in 2023.

For Pete, though, the trade gave him a fresh start, and he quickly showed the Cubs they made the right choice.

Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Growth with the Cubs

Since joining the Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong has become a key team player.

In the 2023 season, the 22-year-old outfielder put up impressive numbers, batting .239/.290/.404 with 10 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases.

His speed, defensive skills, and improving hitting made him a valuable part of the team’s lineup.

But Pete’s progress was especially noticeable in August and September of 2023, where he hit .314 and .289, respectively.

By the end of the season, Pete had become the only rookie in the league to hit 10 home runs and steal 25 bases.

While Crow-Armstrong is still developing, particularly in terms of his offensive consistency—he often bats eighth in the Cubs’ lineup—his potential is clear.

At this stage, his exceptional defense and growing prowess at the plate make him a valuable part of the Cubs’ future plans.

Despite the Mets’ high hopes for him as part of their future, Crow-Armstrong has found his stride in Chicago, proving that the Cubs made a wise investment.

Today, Crow-Armstrong is a rising star for the Chicago Cubs and an important building block for their future.

Interestingly, his unexpected trade story and development show just how unpredictable Major League Baseball trades can be. It also highlights the importance of perseverance when dealing with uncertainty.

As Crow-Armstrong continues refining his skills, Cubs fans have plenty of reason to be excited about the future.

New York Jets’ Jermaine Johnson suffers a season-ending Achilles injury during a 24-17 win over the Titans.

With the Jets’ defensive line weakened, how will they handle their upcoming games, and will this affect the Haason Reddick holdout?

Let’s find out.

Jermaine Johnson’s Achilles Injury Ends His Season

On social media Monday, New York Jets’ Jermaine Johnson confirmed that his right Achilles is torn, meaning he will miss the rest of the season.

Johnson, one of the Jets’ rising stars, suffered the injury during their 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans.

In his post, Johnson said, “This is not a dark time for me, although there will be dark days ahead.” And his optimism shines through despite the tough situation, which is commendable.

Thank everyone for all the prayers and support! This is not a dark time for me ,although there will be dark days ahead, this is Gods way for me to not only grow as a man, person and player but to also inspire others to as well!! 11 will be back and better, BOOK IT🫡🙏🏾🖤… pic.twitter.com/DZm2fy6ggQ

— Jermaine Johnson II (@ii_jermaine) September 16, 2024

Head coach Robert Saleh expressed deep concern post-game, saying, “It’s unfortunately looking like that,” referring to the feared Achilles tear.

Johnson, who had made the Pro Bowl the previous season as an injury replacement, went down in the third quarter while attempting to sack Titans quarterback Will Levis.

The non-contact injury occurred during a pass rush, and teammates gathered around him as medical staff brought out the injury cart.

Johnson, popular among his teammates, was clearly emotional after the injury, with a towel covering his head as he was carted off the field.

Of course, the scene shook the team, with many expressing their heartbreak.

“My heart kind of dropped a little bit,” said quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had experienced a similar Achilles injury in 2023.

He added, “He’s a young player. He’ll have a long career, and there are a lot of great people to take care of him.”

Johnson’s Emotional Response and Hope for Recovery

Despite the tough situation, Johnson shared an inspiring message on social media, confirming his Achilles tear but staying positive.

“Thank everyone for all the prayers and support! This is not a dark time for me, although there will be dark days ahead, this is God’s way for me to not only grow as a man, person, and player but also to inspire others as well!! 11 will be back and better, BOOK IT,” Johnson wrote.

As we discussed earlier, the injury happened during a pass-rush attempt, and Johnson later said he initially thought someone had stepped on his foot. After watching the replay, he realized it was a non-contact injury.

While Johnson admitted to shedding some tears, he remained hopeful and said he’d bounce back after a brief mourning period.

Undoubtedly, the injury has left the Jets with a massive void on their defensive line, as Johnson was expected to play a major role in the team’s pass-rushing strategy.

This loss, coupled with an already depleted defense, raises serious concerns for the team moving forward.

Defensive Adjustments and Haason Reddick Holdout Complications

With Johnson officially out for the season, the Jets now face an even bigger challenge in maintaining their defensive strength.

As a result, the setback increases the urgency of resolving Haason Reddick’s contract holdout.

The veteran edge rusher has been holding out, missing all of training camp and the offseason as he pushes for a better deal.

Reddick, who has 58 career sacks, was expected to be a part of the Jets’ defense this season.

And he was supposed to be a big part of the Jets’ defense, especially with Johnson.

But since Reddick hasn’t been playing, the Jets have relied on other guys, like first-round pick Will McDonald, who had a huge game against the Titans with three sacks, matching his total from last year.

Coach Saleh praised McDonald’s performance, saying, “If he continues to develop like that, he could be a double-digit sack guy in this league.”

While McDonald stepped up, Johnson’s injury could push the Jets to end the holdout with Reddick, as they need more help on the defensive line.

It’s now up to General Manager Joe Douglas to either get Reddick back on the field or find another solution.

Additional Injuries Piling Up for Jets’ Defense

Johnson’s injury wasn’t the only setback for the Jets. Linebacker C.J. Mosley left in the second quarter with a toe injury and didn’t return. And, naturally, Coach Saleh hopes Mosley will be ready for the Jets’ next game against the New England Patriots.

On top of that, cornerback D.J. Reed was a late scratch due to a knee issue, leaving the defense even more short-handed.

Despite all these injuries, the Jets’ defense still delivered. McDonald shined with his three sacks, and Solomon Thomas added another.

In a key moment, safety Tony Adams helped seal the win by breaking up a critical pass from Titans QB Will Levis in the game’s final moments.

As you can imagine, Coach Saleh was proud of how his players kept fighting despite losing some key players.

“The resilience of the guys to put it to the side for the last quarter and do what we needed to do,” he said after the game.

Managing Injuries and Contract Negotiations

With Jermaine Johnson officially out for the season, the Jets have some tough decisions ahead.

Johnson’s absence leaves a massive hole in their defensive line, and this could force the Jets to accelerate contract talks with Haason Reddick or look for other solutions to keep their pass rush strong.

Their next game is against the New England Patriots, and they’ll need to regroup quickly. Even if they sign Reddick soon, he’ll unlikely be ready to play in time.

The Jets also hope C.J. Mosley and D.J. Reed will be healthy enough to return for the game.

Aside from the injuries, the Jets’ defense showed they can step up when needed, and they’ll need that same determination moving forward.