Could Knicks steal Andre Drummond from Nets to replace Mitchell Robinson?

Although the New York Knicks still have one game left of their road trip, the team got to travel back to the city after Friday night’s game in Memphis to prepare for Sunday’s contest versus Brooklyn. Could the match-up be a look into the future for Mitchell Robinson and Andre Drummond?

As we know, Robinson is the Knicks’ starting center and if he doesn’t sign an extension by Jun. 30, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent on the first of July.

Drummond was sent to the Nets on Feb. 10 as part of the Ben Simmons-James Harden trade and he’s stepped into the role as Brooklyn’s starting center. Similar to Robinson, he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent (without Bird Rights) this summer.

The debate on how much money Robinson is worth annually is going to continue to wear on until a decision is made about his future. If he leaves New York, the Knicks could have a chance to sign Drummond if the Nets don’t re-sign him.

Is Nets’ Andre Drummond a potential Mitchell Robinson replacement for New York Knicks?

Shortly after Drummond landed in Brooklyn, head coach Steve Nash said that the 28-year-old brings a “totally different look” for the team at center with his “physicality” and “natural rebounding.”

Nic Claxton will also be a free agent this summer and given that the Nets tried to trade him to the Raptors ahead of the 2022 deadline, Brooklyn’s front office will likely opt for Drummond over Claxton.

That could still work in New York’s favor though because at the age of 22 (soon to be 23), Claxton has a ton of potential.

The door hasn’t been shut on Drummond yet as a potential Knicks target. Before being traded to Philadelphia ahead of the 2021-22 season, the 10-year veteran spent the majority of his career as a starter.

In the 10 games that he’s played in with Brooklyn so far, he’s started in every one and is averaging 10 points, 9.2 rebounds, and one block. Drummond only needs to start two more games to match the number of contests that he started in during his time with the Sixers, where he was the back-up for MVP candidate Joel Embiid.

In comparison to Robinson’s current stats through 61 games (8.8 rebounds/8.4 points/1.7 blocks), Drummond’s numbers are pretty good and he’s fresh off a season-high 20 point performance.

It’d be nice to have a better sample size for Drummond this year as a starter but before being in Philadelphia, he averaged 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in 25 games with the Cavaliers and then 11.9 points and 10.2 rebounds in 21 games with the Lakers to close out the 2020-21 season.

If Drummond somehow slips through the Nets’ fingers and Robinson leaves New York, the Knicks need to jump on the six-foot-ten big man. He’s nearing the end of a one-year, $2.4 million contract which is considerably cheaper than the $12-$13 million that Robinson’s projected to make annually.

New York needs Robinson to stay but if he can get more money elsewhere, he’ll have to do what’s best for him. If that happens, keep an eye on Drummond’s situation.

Should Knicks replace Mitchell Robinson with this Nets center?

Mitchell Robinson is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and if he leaves the New York Knicks, they should sign this Nets center.