Knicks Rumors: Mitchell Robinson likely to walk this offseason

As the trade deadline came and went, The Knicks were reluctant to make any moves to try to improve today’s roster and the fanbase was left questioning what was actually going on in the front office.

One of the players whose name has been brought up in trade rumors time and time again was Mitchell Robinson‘s and for good reason.

The Knicks’ front office has been reluctant to extend Mitch so the idea of trading him before he hits unrestricted free agency this summer has crossed all of our minds.

I’ve personally written about it time and time again.

Do you think the Knicks would let Mitchell Robinson walk for nothing?

Robinson has recently been playing out of his mind lately after starting the new season off relatively slow.

Apparently, this was due to Mitch learning how to play in his newfound weight gain from over the previous offseason.

But in recent weeks, Robinson has really come into his own and has proven he’s worthy of being New York’s starting Center of the future.

So why hasn’t he been re-signed?

In a recent article by Marc Berman of the NY Post, he explained:

"Four teams went after Knicks center Mitchell Robinson at Thursday’s trade deadline, including the Bulls and Pistons, according to an NBA source.Ultimately the Knicks pulled back, didn’t make any trades, and now risk losing their longest-tenured player as an unrestricted free agent this July.According to the source, two of the teams who had contacted the Knicks about Robinson got the impression they will lose him if he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer.The source said the relationship between Robinson and the Knicks currently isn’t on firm ground.The Bulls were intrigued by Robinson, according to the source, because they were looking for another defensive center to go along with Nikola Vucevic as they eye a long playoff push.The Knicks’ decision to not trade Robinson for assets shows they at least feel Robinson would accept a contract extension if one is offered. They can offer him an extension of five years, $55 million."

Now, we all know that Berman hasn’t always been the best source for inside information over the years, but where there is smoke, there could be some fire.

It does trouble me that the Knicks haven’t publicly begun talks of bringing Mitch back long-term as of yet.

I am hoping that there’s something going on behind closed doors that we don’t know of.

But if what Berman is saying is true, this could be one of the biggest blunders of Leon rose’s tenure.

If the front office doesn’t believe that they can bring Robinson back on a contract that they deem as reasonable, but still didn’t move him at the deadline despite all of the potential suitors, this is a huge problem. Berman also went on to say:

"Another NBA executive says Knicks strategist Brock Aller was in favor of trading Robinson as he’s in charge of assets management. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, meanwhile, is believed to be a big fan of Robinson and perhaps he won out.Aller actually called the Pistons and offered a complex package. The Knicks were interested in draft picks and also asked about rookie center Isaiah Stewart of Rochester. The Pistons weren’t willing to deal Stewart."

It’s funny because one of our writers here suggested a trade with Detroit including Isaiah Stewart just days before the deadline.

We may know a thing or two here at DK.

Detroit could have been a nice trade partner because of their cap flexibility and could have also given the Knicks a way to dump a salary or two to open up a rotational spot for Cam Reddish.

All in all, I do hope Mitch is brought back because he’s really shown what he’s capable of and looks to only be getting better over time.

But if the rumors are true and Mitch is on rocky waters with the Knicks’ brass, and they lose him for nothing, it’ll be one of the biggest mistakes the team has ever made.

Keep an eye out for Detroit to bid heavily for Robinson this offseason because not only did they show heavy interest in him before the deadline, but they also have the money to make the Knicks pay for not dealing Mitch sooner.