Can We See Knicks Second-Year Big Gain More Playing Time?
With New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson limited in back-to-back situations, a larger opportunity could emerge for young big man Ariel Hukporti. Selected with the 58th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Hukporti was initially viewed as a developmental piece expected to spend significant time in the G League. Instead, he has carved out a modest but intriguing role. After appearing in 25 games last season and even earning a start, Hukporti quietly led the Knicks in field goal percentage during his limited minutes. With a thin frontcourt and the regular season entering its home stretch, his role could expand at the right time.
Hukporti’s path to the NBA has been anything but conventional. The German native began his professional career with Riesen Ludwigsburg in the Basketball Bundesliga before joining Melbourne United in Australia’s National Basketball League. He later returned to Ludwigsburg for another season before being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, who traded his rights to New York. A torn meniscus cut short what looked like a promising rookie campaign, stalling momentum at a critical juncture. This season, Hukporti is averaging two points and three rebounds per game. While his field goal percentage has dipped slightly, his free-throw shooting has improved significantly, a subtle but important development for a rotational center.
What Hukporti provides that Robinson currently cannot is availability and energy. He has appeared in 41 games this season, making four starts, and brings a high-motor presence every time he checks in. He posted a career-high 12 points against the Washington Wizards and grabbed 16 rebounds versus the Atlanta Hawks. With a nine-foot-three standing reach, soft hands around the rim, and the ability to function as a lob threat, he fits well alongside guards such as Jalen Brunson. His rim-running and defensive activity give the Knicks a different dynamic when Robinson is sidelined.
The Knicks still have two back-to-backs remaining, including a road game in Toronto followed by a home matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. If Robinson sits for load management, Hukporti will likely be called upon to absorb meaningful minutes behind Karl-Anthony Towns. While a veteran such as Trey Jamison III and rookie Mohamed Diawara offer depth, Hukporti represents something more valuable: long-term upside. Along with younger pieces such as Tyler Kolek and Pacôme Dadiet, he could become part of a sustainable core if developed properly. For a team with postseason aspirations, inexpensive, energetic rotation players often prove critical when margins tighten.
