Mitchell Robinson departs from the Knicks to join the Celtics in NBA free agency

Mitchell Robinson Leaves Knicks for Celtics

Well, it’s official now. Mitchell Robinson is not coming back to the Knicks, and it feels surreal, really.

He’s set to sign a three-year deal worth $47.4 million with the Celtics. This was confirmed by a report, which makes it feel even more like a reality check for Knicks fans.

Robinson was not just any player; he was the longest-tenured Knick, wrapping up an eight-year run with the team that saw him win a title. It’s a big change for both him and the franchise.

A second-round pick who’s now 28, Robinson has evolved considerably. From being a natural shot blocker to becoming one of the league’s top rebounders, his journey has been quite remarkable. Yet, despite his importance on the court, the Knicks couldn’t offer him a competitive contract while trying to adhere to owner James Dolan’s budgetary constraints—particularly his goal to stay under the second apron.

On the other hand, the Knicks have already inked deals with two of their top free agents, Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet, alongside Mohamed Diawara. These moves left them with roughly $9 million on the second apron, but it complicates things as three more players still need contracts before free agency officially starts.

Teams could begin negotiations on Tuesday, but formal signings won’t happen until July 6. This window makes it tough for the Knicks, given that they can only fill their roster with minimum contracts now—far less than what Robinson could fetch elsewhere.

Understanding Dolan’s desire to stay under the second apron, it was clear Robinson’s return wasn’t in the cards, a sentiment echoed by reports last week. Now, with Robinson gone, the Knicks will definitely need to find a backup center behind Karl-Anthony Towns, especially since Ariel Hukporti has also left for the 76ers.

Interestingly, with Robinson’s exit, Miles McBride has now become the longest-tenured Knick, and that is a bit of a shift in dynamics.

Robinson’s last major contribution? Securing a pivotal rebound in Game 5 of the Finals that essentially clinched the championship for the Knicks. After Josh Hart missed a free throw, Robinson’s rebound not only denied the Spurs a chance to tie but also cemented his legacy.

This past season was his healthiest since 2021-22, largely thanks to the team’s load management strategy, allowing him to appear in 60 regular-season games. But the playoffs were a different story. Opponents used strategies to exploit his less-than-stellar free-throw percentage, causing him to see reduced playing time. Adding to the concerns, he suffered a hand injury in an off-court incident right before the finals.

Yet, through all this, Robinson gained a lot of fans. His love for country music, monster trucks, and quirky personality made him quite the character.