3 sign-and-trade deals for Knicks center Mitchell Robinson

So, like…the New York Knicks have won three of their last four games against some pretty stiff competition and I don’t really know how to feel.

After suffering seven straight losses, I’d all but chalked up this season as a loss and started to focus on 2023. Yet here we are, 17 games out of first place in the East and just 4.5 games out of a play-in spot.

Currently, Atlanta and Charlotte are standing in New York’s way. Over the past 10 games, the Hornets are 4-6 and the Hawks are 6-4.

There’s a very real chance that the Knicks can sneak their way into the play-in. If that were to happen, then the conversation that this article is based around could be all for not.

If Mitchell Robinson makes a significant impact in the playoffs, there’s no chance that New York will get rid of him instead of paying him exactly what he wants.

Should the Knicks consider a sign-and-trade deal for Mitchell Robinson?

Recent reports have suggested that Mitch is looking for something in the realm of $12-13 million annually. While most fans think that would be a steal, there’s gotta be something holding the front office back from giving the kid what he wants.

Whether they think he’s asking for more than they’re willing to shell out for a center of his caliber or they’re just looking for a different archetype at the position (such as a player who can do a little more on offense) remains to be seen.

One thing does remain true in that the Knicks didn’t trade Mitch at the deadline this year, so either they believe that they can bring him back on a contract they deem as reasonable or they have a plan in place to send him somewhere via sign-and-trade. I highly doubt that they’ll lose him for nothing.

As we know, I’m no stranger to hypothetical Robinson trades but if I had things my way, we’d keep the guy and give him what he’s asking for. He’s a special talent and I also believe bringing him back would help from a cultural perspective because New York hasn’t re-signed a draft pick of its own to a second contract since Charlie Ward.

However, if all else fails and the Knicks have to let Robinson go, here are some ideas of what they could get in return.