Four-year veteran Kyle O'Quinn is reportedly set to battle with two rookies for the New York Knicks' main backup center position in the upcoming season.

O'Quinn is left to compete for minutes against rookies Willy Hernangomez and Marshall Plumlee since newly signed Joakim Noah is coach's Jeff Hornacek's designated starter, ESPN reports.

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Hornacek, who is also coaching his first season for New York, had started all three in the Knicks' first three preseason games. The coach is reportedly satisfied in what he saw and is enthusiastic about possible roster combinations when the regular season begins later this month.

"It's going to be a battle for those (three) guys," said Hornacek, as per the New York Post. "It could be one guy one night depending on matchups, (but) right now I like what we see."

Hornacek's recent comments is an indication that all three players could be a lock to the Knicks final 15-man roster for 2016-2017. The deadline for submission of final rosters is on Oct. 24.

The former Phoenix Suns boss is said to prefer O'Quinn's experience over the two first-year players. O'Quinn had played his first three seasons in Orlando when the Magic drafted him 49th overall in 2012.

He was then signed then traded to the Knicks in the summer of 2015 in exchange for cash considerations and the right to swap the 2019 second-round draft picks.

O'Quinn played minimally under head coaches Derek Fisher and Kurt Rambis in his first season with the Knicks. Averaging only 16.2 minutes of playing time per night, O'Quinn managed to produce numbers of 4.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 65 games last season.

Meanwhile, Hernangomez was the 35th overall selection of the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2012 draft. He played for Real Madrid and Sevilla in the Liga ACB and Euro League before joining the NBA.

Plumlee, on the other hand, is the younger brother of Mason and Miles, who are currently playing for the Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks respectively. He was an undrafted player from Duke this year and was signed by the Knicks to a training camp deal in July.

TagsNBA News & Rumors, NBA News & Rumors 2016, Kyle O'Quinn, new york knicks, New York Knicks rumors