Andre Drummond Joins Knicks as Sole New Addition for 2026-27 Season

Andre Drummond has signed with the New York Knicks as the team's only significant newcomer for the 2026-27 NBA season. The veteran center, who has averaged 12.1 points and 11.9 rebounds throughout his career, will replace Mitchell Robinson, who departed for Boston after serving as a backup to Karl-Anthony Towns.

Drummond, a lifelong Knicks fan from Mount Vernon, New York, expressed enthusiasm about joining a team he believes has the potential to compete for the championship again. He was a player for the Philadelphia 76ers last season when the Knicks swept them in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Reflecting on the Knicks' success, Drummond remarked, "After our series I was telling one of my friends, ‘I think they might mess around and do it,’ and lo and behold, they pulled it out."

While acknowledging the difficulty of filling Robinson's role, teammates believe Drummond's experience will benefit the team in other areas. Team captain Jalen Brunson noted that Drummond is not expected to replicate Robinson's contributions but to bring his unique skills to the table.

Alongside Drummond, the Knicks have retained key reserves such as Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado, and Jordan Clarkson, while maintaining the starting five that has played together for two seasons. Brunson helped Drummond acclimate by inviting him to his birthday party this summer.

Drummond sees this opportunity as fitting for where he is in his career, especially following the Knicks' championship victory. He stated, "Just with the addition of me and my veteran leadership and what I bring to the table, it just made sense to me and my family to come here."

Throughout his career, Drummond has led the league in rebounding four times, second only to LeBron James in total rebounds since entering the league in 2012. This season marks a unique situation for him, joining as the singular main addition to the Knicks.

Coach Mike Brown expressed confidence in Drummond's ability to transition into the team. "He’s a veteran. He’s been there, done that, with a few different teams," Brown said.

Drummond is also diversifying his game; he made 32 three-pointers during the 2025-26 season, a significant increase compared to just 18 in his first 13 seasons. Emphasizing his adaptability, Drummond concluded, "I’m able to rebound the ball at a high clip still... Being a good pick-and-roll defender, I’m just a great locker room guy, all together, is really what keeps me around."