Why Knicks are parting ways with Ariel Hukporti after NBA title
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Why Knicks are parting ways with Ariel Hukporti after NBA title originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ariel Hukporti played in more than half of the New York Knicks' games in the 2025-26 season.
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His NBA future is now uncertain, though.
Hukporti was set to be a restricted free agent. To control him in free agency, the Knicks simply had to extend him a qualifying offer on Monday.
They didn't:
The New York Knicks are not extending a qualifying offer to center Ariel Hukporti, making him an unrestricted free agent, sources tell ESPN. Hukporti has played 79 across two seasons with the Knicks.
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) June 30, 2026
Hukporti averaged 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 54 games in 2025-26.
He was a non-factor in the playoffs as the Knicks shortened their rotation, but there was some thought that he'd be back for another year.
New York might not be able to afford Mitchell Robinson, and while Hukporti wouldn't have been a sure things as a backup center, he could've been an option.
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Why are the Knicks letting Ariel Hukporti be a free agent?
The Knicks clearly don't feel Hukporti's upside is enough to commit to him further.
This doesn't preclude them from re-signing him. If no one else wants Hukporti, and the Knicks can get him on the cheap, maybe it's a move they'll still make.
For now, though, they look elsewhere to find a potential backup to Karl-Anthony Towns.
Robinson was good for the Knicks, and if they can't have him, they'd certainly like to find an able replacement.