In an expected move, the Knicks are planning to guarantee a portion of Jericho Sims’ contract this week for the 2023-24 season that becomes fully guaranteed in August.
The decision, first reported by SNY, is center insurance for the Knicks, who already have Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein at the position.
They have a team option on the 24-year-old Sims for the following year.
Sims, who attended the Knicks’ summer league finale on Saturday in Las Vegas, is coming off surgery to repair a torn labrum and cuff tendon in his right shoulder that cut his second season short.
The Knicks have said Sims was expected to recover in time for training camp in late September.
A rim protector and quality rebounder, the 6-foot-9 Sims averaged 3.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game last season.
He was particularly important for the Knicks during Robinson’s two stints on the sideline due to a sprained right knee and right thumb injury.
The Knicks even used Sims on occasion in a two-big lineup on the second unit with Hartenstein.
That could be an option for them next year after the trade of Obi Toppin to the Pacers unless they add a true power forward to the roster.
They could also use Josh Hart and RJ Barrett at the position in smaller lineups.
The Knicks drafted Sims 58th overall in the 2021 draft out of Texas and signed him to a two-way contract. Last July, the team inked him to a three-year, partially guaranteed deal.
It’s been a mostly quiet offseason for the Knicks.
They signed former Warriors guard Donte DiVinenzo to a four-year, $50 million deal and sent Toppin to the Pacers for two future second-round picks.
They are expected to move veteran Evan Fournier and his expiring $18.9 million contract before the season starts.