Knicks Rumors: Latest Center Linked to New York Must Be Avoided At All Costs

The world knows the New York Knicks need for a decent center coming off a season where teams seemed to score in the paint at will at the Knicks.

With preparations already being made for next year's crop of free agents in an attempt to land a third superstar, the top big men on the market this season are more than likely out of reach.

That leaves a bunch of second and third-tier big men being linked to the Knicks, which would still be an improvement from a season ago, but the latest rumor surrounding a big man to the Knicks should be avoided at all costs.

Marc Berman from the New York Post reports that the Knicks are targeting free agent center Jeff Foster with their $5 million mid-level exception.

Foster has a history with current Knicks consultant and former general manager Donnie Walsh. Walsh drafted Foster in 1999 for the Pacers when he traded for his rights, and has pushed for the Knicks to sign the center according to sources.

Of all the big men the Knicks have been linked to since the lockout ended, this would be the biggest mistake.

Foster isn't a bad guy to have, but certainly not worth using their full mid-level on, even though he made $6.7 million a season ago.

He's a decent rebounder, ranking second in the NBA last season to Dwight Howard in rebounding ratio, grabbing 6.3 boards in 20.7 minutes of playing time. But he's also a guy coming off of major back surgery two season's ago.

Foster could be on his last legs in terms of health, and while he didn't have a bad season a year ago in Indiana, he's still a risk.

If you could get him at the veteran's minimum or slightly over that, then I may say consider it, but the $5 million exception could be used to better fill a need.

There are other bangers out there that could be had for less money and the mid-level exception could be used to secure another big man or fill another bench need.

Wasting $5 million on Foster is a mistake and the Knicks have made plenty of those in the past. Here's to hoping they don't make another.