Some details emerge about New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson’s offseason workouts.
New York Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson was forced to miss some of the team’s informal workouts in September due to personal reasons, but according to a new report by Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, the young center has found time to work with new assistant coach Mike Woodson in Louisiana.
Woodson recently flew to Robinson’s home state to train with the young center, according to the report.
Why this matters: The 2018 second round pick netted in the Carmelo Anthony trade has turned into a cornerstone piece for the rebuilding Knicks. With new leadership taking over for Steve Mills and David Fizdale/Mike Miller in New York, it is an important offseason for Robinson to prove his value as a core player.
The 22-year-old is due for a contract extension as early as this offseason. However, it seems most likely that New York will wait until next summer to decide whether they want to lock him up long term. He has two non-guaranteed seasons remaining on his current deal.
What else did we learn? Credit to Knicks fans for scanning Instagram for useful news related to the team. KiviNJ22 on Twitter found Mitchell Robinson’s trainer, Marcell Scott, responding to a comment asking about Robinson’s offseason workout plans and progression.
Interesting stuff from Mitch's trainer. He says the knicks staff is determined to win ASAP👀 @JCMacriNBA @DailyKnicksFS @KnicksFanTv pic.twitter.com/OcbtjkaYqf
— Akiva (@Kivi015) October 21, 2020
When asked if the Knicks are going to “cut [Robinson] loose or will he still be a lob guy,” Scott responded that Robinson has put in the work to be “more than a lob guy.” Scott also indicated the “Knicks staff is very determined to win ASAP.”
A big year for Mitch: Coming off a pandemic-shortened season that saw him break the single-season record for field goal percentage previously held by Wilt Chamberlain, it would seem the sky is the limit for Robinson. And it might be. But before he reaches for the stars, Robinson needs to develop several areas of his game—from screening to foul discipline to expanding his offensive repertoire beyond the rim.
If the new coaching staff can continue to develop Robinson into an elite big man, the Knicks will have at least one legitimate piece secured on a team desperately looking to return to contention.