Josh Hart Reacts to Mitchell Robinson’s Departure

Josh Hart is still processing the impact of Mitchell Robinson leaving. On Thursday night, after the Celtics named Robinson as their key big man, Hart shot off a letter to Boston saying, “Administrator, please remove this.”

Hart and Robinson spent four seasons together in New York after Hart joined the Knicks in a trade from the Trail Blazers back in 2023.

Since signing a three-year, $47.4 million contract with Boston, Robinson and his former teammates have stayed in touch, mostly through social media. In an online chat with NBA Finals star OG Anunoby, Robinson expressed his reluctance to leave New York, even stating, “Brother, I didn’t want this to happen,” in response to Anunoby’s remarks about his exit.

Robinson hinted at some unresolved feelings, saying, “I hope the truth comes out someday. I’ll miss you when you’re gone!” His possible exit from the Knicks was a hot topic following their championship victory, particularly after owner James Dolan clearly indicated he was reluctant to let Robinson go, fearing the financial implications of crossing the second apron in the salary cap.

Just last month, before Robinson signed with Boston, Dolan appeared on WFAN’s “The Carton Show” and remarked, “There are some things in the NBA that you have to kill yourself with. One of them is the second apron. You can’t go on the second apron,” stressing the limitations of team finances.

The second apron this season is pegged at around $222 million, and teams exceeding this face restrictions and penalties.

Drafted by the Knicks in 2018, Robinson averaged 7.5 points, 8 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 assists per game across his eight seasons with the team. During the NBA Finals, he contributed averages of 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 0.3 assists.

This offseason, the Knicks have welcomed back Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado, Mohamed Diawara, and Clarkson, while bringing in veteran Andre Drummond to replace Robinson—a move that impacted their cap by $17.5 million.