Daniel Theis Almost Signed With Knicks Last Season.

According to German center Daniel Theis, the Knicks attempted to recruit him to play for the team late last season, but he says he turned down the offer. 

Daniel Theis is currently playing in Italy for AS Monaco. He signed with the team in February of 2025 after he was bought out by the New Orleans Pelicans. According to the German big man, he had a chance to sign with a contending team in the New York Knicks, but he didn’t want to lose the opportunity to play in Europe if it didn’t work out. EuroHoops quotes Theis as saying; 

Before coming to Europe, I had an offer from the Knicks. Mitchell Robinson was coming back from injury. I spoke with Thibodeau, and he told me I would be insurance for them if Robinson couldn’t play. I thought, if I stay until the end of the season and don’t play, what chances will I have in the summer? So I said, ‘I’m going to Europe. If I play well, I’ll have better chances.’ 

One thing there is always a shortage of in the NBA is size, and that is especially true during playoff time when teams need extra fouls. That is what former coach Tom Thibodeaux was thinking of when reaching out to Theiss. 

Instead, Theis will play the next season in Italy and will likely be a well-above-average player overseas. The center is still only 32 years old with plenty of playoff experience and could receive interest from the NBA later this year.