Exactly one month from today, the New York Knicks will play their final game of the regular season. Unless New York shocks the world and makes it to the play-in tournament, the match-up against Toronto on Apr. 10 could be the final time that Mitchell Robinson suits up for the Knicks.
Unless Robinson signs a contract extension by Jun. 30, he’s going to enter free agency on the first of July. Although he’s injury-prone (he played in 31 games last year due to a broken foot), the 23-year-old is expected to have several suitors who can pay him more money than New York.
According to New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, two teams have already been linked to the center. Bondy joined Michael Scotto on HoopsHype’s Podcast to talk about Robinson’s potential free agency.
Well, who are those two teams? And how much would they possibly be willing to pay Robinson?
Five NBA executives believe Knicks center Mitchell Robinson could command $12-13 million per year in free agency. More on the futures of Robinson, Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel, Cam Reddish, Evan Fournier and Tom Thibodeau below
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) March 10, 2022
👉🏼 https://t.co/IFsIN0L8D8 pic.twitter.com/eXuPqQGuoT
Detroit and Dallas have been linked to New York Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson.
After mentioning that the Knicks can’t offer Robinson more than a four-year, $55 million extension, Bondy revealed two teams that have shown interest in the big man. Those two teams are the Pistons and the Mavericks.
Scotto echoed Bondy’s Detroit sentiment and said:
"“Detroit is a team I’ve heard that has interest in him. They’ll be linked to Deandre Ayton as well. The price gap between Mitchell Robinson and Ayton is going to be pretty significant. If Detroit can get other free-agent acquisitions, I think they’re certainly going to look at Robinson. Harold Ellis, who used to work for the Knicks, is with Detroit, so they’ve got some good inside knowledge on Robinson there.”"
Could Robinson be leaving New York but remaining in the Eastern Conference? That seems to be a possibility.
Detroit’s starting center is 20-year-old Isaiah Stewart, who’s currently out with a bone bruise. He’s averaging 8.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in the 57 games that he’s played in for the Pistons. Stewart’s numbers are similar to Robinson’s (8.7 rebounds/8.4 points/1.6 blocks in 60 games).
Meanwhile, Phoenix’s Deandre Ayton is set to become a restricted free agent this summer and is at the tail end of a four-year, $40.4 million contract. He’s averaging 16.8 points and 10 rebounds in the 45 games that he’s played in this season.
The No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft is going to draw more money than Robinson which is why Scotto said that the pay gap between the two centers is going to be “pretty significant.”
Bondy said that Robinson and the Knicks haven’t made any traction in their extension talks but that doesn’t mean that an extension won’t happen.
Scotto mentioned that one NBA executive believes that there’s a chance that Robinson could get up to $15 million per year which is more than what New York can afford.
Another executive told Scotto that the Knicks could re-sign the center and overpay him. Given the impact that Robinson’s had over the past few months, he deserves to be paid within the $12-13 million range but $15 million is a bit steep.
Hopefully, talks between Robinson and New York will progress during the offseason. With his age and recent production, Robinson fits the mold that the Knicks need to build around (along with RJ Barrett). New York faithful, keep your fingers crossed, and as for you Detroit and Dallas, stay away.
3 Mitchell Robinson replacements Knicks should avoid this offseason
If Mitchell Robinson decides to sign elsewhere this summer, the New York Knicks needs to avoid these 3 unrestricted free agents at all costs.