Jericho Sims, recently removed from New York’s rotation and inactive Monday with back spasms, is being shopped ahead of next month’s trade deadline, NBA sources who’ve been in contact with the team told The Post.
The center, among the franchise’s longest-tenured players, has been in-and-out of the rotation and was recently replaced by Ariel Hukporti on a “game-to-game” basis, according to Tom Thibodeau.
Sims also started three games this season — all missed by Karl-Anthony Towns because of injuries.
It’s unclear what the Knicks can retrieve for Sims but a source said a second-round pick was one ask.
The 26-year-old has garnered some interest around the NBA.
But he’s also a tough sell on the market as a player who is out of a rotation and will become a free agent in the summer.
The Knicks may also add another center this season, Mitchell Robinson, who, according to Tom Thibodeau, remains on pace to return to practice this month after a long recovery from ankle surgery.
Sims’ future could also be tied to Robinson’s return, and whether it’s before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, a source said.
Robinson still hasn’t begun sprinting, however.
“That’s the next step,” the coach said. “He’s doing some light shooting right now.”
Sims’ remaining deal is just $2.1 million and expiring. The Knicks, who are operating above the first apron, can’t take back more salary than they’re sending out.
The 58th pick in the 2021 draft, Sims represented the Knicks’ only frontcourt reserve in the rotation for opening 20 games of this season as Precious Achiuwa sat with a strained hamstring.
Sims’ offense remained a struggle but his paint defense garnered consistent praise from Thibodeau.
With Towns nursing knee soreness, Sims started last week’s loss to the Magic and logged 29 minutes with 10 rebounds.
He played four minutes two nights later in a win over the Raptors, then became the Knicks’ only DNP in games against the Thunder and Bucks.
His late scratch Monday with the back injury was not related to any imminent trade, a source said.
Instead of using Sims for backup minutes in the previous two games before Monday’s matchup against the Pistons, Thibodeau turned to Hukporti, the 22-year-old from Germany.
Hukporti’s one-year contract became fully guaranteed Friday.
“Just where we are,” Thibodeau said. “Just looking at different things.”
The upside with Sims resides in his elite athleticism.
He’s a former Slam Dunk contestant who can clear the rim with his head.
However, Sims is limited offensively and never earned the trust from Thibodeau to expand his game beyond setting screens, crashing the boards and dunking.
He’s averaging a career-low this season in points (1.7) and minutes (11.6) while appearing in 32 games.
New York’s frontcourt depth has been a key question since preseason when Robinson’s recovery from a second ankle surgery.
A source said the Knicks are exploring different possibilities of acquiring frontcourt depth — but are simultaneously shopping Sims.
