Knicks’ Center Battle Takes a Turn as Bradley and Eubanks Go Unused

Tony Bradley and Drew Eubanks went unused against Washington as James Wiseman received minutes. What it means for the Knicks’ center competition.

The Knicks center competition produced an intriguing development against Washington: Tony Bradley and Drew Eubanks did not enter the game, while James Wiseman received the minutes behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond.

Towns and Drummond combined for 39 minutes at center in New York’s 111-109 preseason defeat. Wiseman played the remaining nine, leaving two other candidates without an opportunity to strengthen their cases that night.

One exhibition cannot settle a roster decision. Still, the distribution offers a snapshot of how Mike Brown chose to evaluate his frontcourt—and why Bradley and Eubanks need to make their next opportunities count.

Wiseman Receives the Available Minutes

Once Towns and Drummond had completed their workloads, there was limited playing time available for another center.

Brown gave that opportunity to Wiseman, who showed his ability to finish near the basket, including alley-oop connections with Jose Alvarado. Those possessions provided the staff with evidence of how he might function alongside New York’s reserve guards.

For Bradley and Eubanks, the consequence was straightforward: neither could answer with an on-court contribution against Washington.

Wiseman received another audition in a game setting. His competitors had to wait for their next opening.

What the Absences Do—and Do Not—Tell Us

A preseason substitution pattern can indicate which combination a coach wants to examine. It does not necessarily reveal the final depth chart.

Brown may need different games to evaluate different players, especially when established members of the rotation are increasing their workloads. Without an explanation from the coach, assigning a definitive reason to Bradley’s or Eubanks’ absence would be speculation.

The confirmed takeaway is narrower: neither played against the Wizards, and Wiseman handled the available minutes behind Towns and Drummond.

That makes the game relevant to the competition without turning it into proof that either player has been eliminated from consideration.

Bradley and Eubanks Need a Clear Case for Their Fit

For a player competing near the end of a frontcourt rotation, the challenge is demonstrating a dependable contribution.

The Knicks need to assess whether a reserve center can execute defensive coverages, establish rebounding position and support the offense through screens and timely movement. Those responsibilities often matter more than producing a large scoring total.

Bradley and Eubanks must be evaluated through that lens when their opportunities arrive. The question is what each would give New York in the situations where another big man is needed.

A convincing case requires a skill the team can use and enough consistency for the coach to trust it.

The Decision Depends on the Whole Frontcourt

Selecting depth at center also involves considering how a candidate complements the players already ahead of him.

Brown must weigh the usefulness of another finishing target against other needs, including defensive positioning, physical matchups and the ability to contribute with limited touches. The best fit may change depending on the combination of guards and forwards sharing the floor.

Wiseman’s offensive connection with Alvarado offered one example of compatibility. Bradley and Eubanks need opportunities to show their own fit within the system.

Practice performance matters here, too. Game minutes provide visible evidence for supporters, while the coaching staff has a broader body of work to review.

The Next Opportunity Carries More Weight

The Washington game left Bradley and Eubanks with no new game footage to bolster their bids, while Wiseman added another appearance to his evaluation.

That creates urgency without establishing an outcome. Both still need to be judged on the opportunities they receive and the responsibilities they are asked to perform.

For New York, the task is to identify a center who can be ready when required, even if his regular workload is modest.

Bradley and Eubanks went unused for one night. Their response in the next available opportunity will tell the Knicks more than the absence alone.