Andre Drummond on Joining Knicks: ‘Mitchell Robinson Was a Huge Loss. I’m Here to Help.’

Andre Drummond didn’t need a sales pitch. The moment Mitchell Robinson left New York for Boston in free agency, the veteran center saw a clear lane.

So when the Knicks came calling, Drummond was all in. He signed a one-year deal with the defending champions, and in a chat with media host Mika Ortiz, he didn’t sugarcoat why he fits.

“Getting rid of Mitchell Robinson was a huge loss for them. I bring in a similar talent, similar energy, but I’m a veteran,” Drummond said. “I’ve been around for a long time. I know what it takes to win.”

The move also has a personal layer. Drummond grew up in New York. For him, this isn’t just another stop on the NBA tour — it’s a chance to chase a ring in the city where his whole basketball story started.

And his résumé backs up the talk. Two All-Star appearances. Four rebounding titles. He’s still one of the most productive rebounders in the league per minute, even after 13 seasons. Last year in Philadelphia, in a limited role, he averaged 6.4 points and 8.4 boards.

When Ortiz asked what it takes to win, Drummond got direct.

“Being great, sacrificing, knowing that every night might not be your night,” he said. “Focusing on the greater good of what we’re doing this for, which is to win a championship. And that’s what I’m here for.”

But he’s realistic about what that means. Drummond made clear he isn’t walking in expecting 30 minutes a night or a star’s share of touches. He knows a title contender doesn’t lean on him the way, say, the Pistons did a decade ago. He sounded genuinely at peace with a supporting role. Just happy to be part of something bigger than individual numbers.

That’s the kind of veteran mindset the Knicks need right now. They’re going for back-to-back championships. Karl-Anthony Towns is locked in as the starter. Drummond slots in behind him, and for a guy who’s averaged a double-double for most of his career, that’s a serious upgrade off the bench.

The through line of the whole conversation was resolve. Drummond has lasted this long by outworking doubt — a mindset he’s literally tattooed on himself. “Don’t quit” is permanent ink. He said it again to Ortiz: “I never quit, never give up. I don’t give up.”

That kind of steady presence could go a long way when the playoffs get tight. The Knicks already know how to win. Drummond just has to not mess it up. And everything he said suggests he knows exactly what that requires.