Mitchell Robinson was one of the most vital players in the New York Knicks‘ rotation in this year’s playoffs. While playing a key defensive role, Robinson was a consistent contributor and a key factor in helping the team secure the NBA championship.
In light of his efforts in the NBA Finals, there was a general expectation that the longest-tenured Knicks player on the roster would earn himself a contract extension to stay with the team. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case, as he signed a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Boston Celtics.
While seeing the big man depart is unfortunate, Mitchell Robinson recently revealed that he had no intention of leaving the Knicks either. In the comments section of his Instagram post, Robinson responded to his former teammate OG Anunoby‘s comment, stating:
“I tried, brother. I didn’t want this to happen. Hopefully, the truth comes out at some point. I’m gonna miss you, big dawg! Keep being great.”
Although Robinson’s comment reflects the camaraderie he shared with his former teammate, it certainly raises questions about his sudden departure from New York. When specifically referring to the segment about “the truth” coming out at some point, one might suggest that there is something greater at play.
Mitchell Robinson’s Departure Was Driven By Cap Concerns
While Mitchell Robinson’s cryptic statement could give rise to some conspiracy theories, it is worth noting that the big man’s departure may have been largely driven by New York’s pre-existing salary cap concerns.
After winning the 2026 NBA Finals, Knicks owner James Dolan very explicitly mentioned that the team would not be going over the second tax apron ($221 million) in the coming season. While this would be a rational move from any team, it put a considerable amount of strain on New York’s roster, which largely featured players on minimum salaries seeking new contracts.
Mitchell Robinson was among the notable figures on the roster who were due to enter free agency this offseason. Along with him, players like Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet were also likely to enter the market. But in a surprising move, both signed new multi-year contracts with the team.
In this regard, it almost seems like Mitchell Robinson was the odd one out.
Behind Karl-Anthony Towns, Robinson was the only real center the Knicks had, especially in the playoffs. Given the sheer lack of depth in the big man rotation, it would seem appropriate to bring him back. However, considering that the Knicks’ payroll for the 2026-27 season is already at $210.8 million (above the first apron), and with four roster spots to fill, there isn’t much that could have been done to retain him.
Now, with Mitchell Robinson gone, New York will begin its search for a reliable center, preferably on a minimum salary. While there are a couple of options on the horizon, former NBA champion Kevon Looney emerges as a preferred target for the Knicks.
