Drew Eubanks Brings Physicality and Center Depth to Knicks Training Camp

When the New York Knicks assembled their training camp roster for the 2026-27 season, front office leadership made rim protection, screen setting, and frontcourt insurance major priorities. Among the veteran invitees competing on non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 deals, 29-year-old center Drew Eubanks stands out as an established, battle-tested interior presence capable of stabilizing the paint.

Across eight NBA seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings, Eubanks has carved out a clear professional identity. At 6-foot-10 and 245 pounds, he represents a classic roll-and-cut five who excels at executing basic operational fundamentals without demanding plays designed for him.

The Skill Set: Hard Screens and Interior Efficiency

In head coach Mike Brown's offensive system, high-efficiency interior finishers and crisp screeners are essential to generate perimeter advantages. Eubanks has demonstrated throughout his career that he understands how to free up ball-handlers like Jalen Brunson, Jordan Clarkson, and Tyler Kolek:

• Screen Contact and Rolling: Eubanks consistently sets solid legal screens that force opposing drop defenders to commit, creating pocket passes and floaters for New York's downhill guards.
• Finishing in the Paint: Career shooting marks near 60% from the field reflect Eubanks' discipline in taking high-percentage attempts around the rim and converting dump-off feeds in tight windows.
• Offensive Rebounding: Eubanks averages roughly 3.0 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes for his career, consistently fighting for extra possessions and tipping loose balls out to perimeter shooters.
• Interior Positional Defense: While not an elite rim protector, Eubanks uses verticality and physical chest-to-chest positioning to contest shots without fouling excessively.

How Eubanks Fits the Frontcourt Depth Chart

The Knicks enter camp with Karl-Anthony Towns anchoring the starting center position and veteran Andre Drummond serving as the primary backup rebounder. However, over an grueling 82-game regular season and another deep playoff pursuit, having a third proven center is invaluable.

While fellow camp signee James Wiseman brings elite vertical bounce and former lottery pedigree, Eubanks offers high-floor tactical reliability. Coaches know exactly what Eubanks provides on both ends of the floor: zero blown defensive assignments, relentless screening, and professional consistency.

Financial Flexibility and Roster Math

Because Eubanks is signed to a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 contract, the Knicks maintain complete flexibility leading into opening night. New York's front office continues to monitor trade avenues involving young forward Pacôme Dadiet. If the Knicks create an additional roster vacancy via trade, Eubanks and his camp peers will have an even clearer pathway toward securing standard regular-season roster spots.

Whether Eubanks begins the year on the 15-man roster or remains top-of-mind as a priority mid-season veteran call-up, his presence in Tarrytown elevates the physical intensity and operational execution of Knicks training camp.