Mitchell Robinson has been a New York Knick longer than anyone else on the current roster. That might not be true much longer.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported Thursday that it’s now considered unlikely Robinson returns next season. He’s an unrestricted free agent, and team owner James Dolan has made it clear he won’t pay into the second apron. Running it back with the same bench isn’t in the budget, apparently.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints pushed back hard on that logic. He called it a poor decision by the Knicks, pointing out they just won a championship and have no reason to worry about apron penalties. Dolan can afford the tax, Siegel argued. It’s a fair point.
A Fan Favorite Battled Through Injury
Robinson became a cult hero during the Knicks’ run to the Finals. He fought through a hand injury to return and help the team finish the job. Fans loved the grit.
Rumors about his departure started circulating as early as June 7. The Lakers and Bulls were mentioned as potential landing spots for the big man. Those whispers have only gotten louder.
The Knicks Are Already Shifting the Roster
New York went into trade mode Tuesday. They moved the 24th pick, ended up at No. 25, drafted Sergio De Larrea, then shipped him out. They also traded the 31st and 55th picks. That’s a lot of movement for a team that just won it all.
The roster will look different next season. Whether that’s smart or short-sighted depends on who you ask. But losing Robinson, a homegrown fan favorite who bled for this title, stings more than a typical free agent departure. The front office has some explaining to do.
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