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NBA insider believes Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson will enter free agency

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 18: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks prepares to shoot a free throw during the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on March 18, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 18: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks prepares to shoot a free throw during the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on March 18, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks will be adding some new faces to their roster over the next two months, but they’ll also be losing at least a couple of players in the process, including perhaps their starting center. If the Knicks and Mitchell Robinson don’t agree to a contract extension, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.

Outside of speculation, there’s been no news on the Robinson front. And time is ticking. At the age of 24, several teams will be interested in him in free agency. It’ll be bittersweet to see him leave New York, but it’s looking like that’ll be the case.

Robinson was drafted by the Knicks in the second round of the 2018 draft and in 2021, New York drafted center Jericho Sims in the second round. If Robinson leaves, the Knicks will be left with Sims and Nerlens Noel. Don’t expect the organization to be content with that duo, though.

Is Mitchell Robinson going to leave the Knicks as an unrestricted free agent?

On the topic of Robinson’s future in New York, SNY’s Ian Begley reported some interesting information. Not only did he write that the center should enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent (shocking), but he wrote about how New York’s front office is feeling after the draft lottery. Begley wrote:

"In the days after the NBA Lottery, multiple people in touch with the Knicks say they were considering offseason scenarios for the center position if Robinson signs elsewhere.I wouldn’t read too much into this, though. Any competent NBA team plans for all possible outcomes of their own player’s free agency.Also, it’s worth noting that the Knicks have sent trainers to work with Robinson this offseason, per a league source."

As he said, it’s normal for the front office to do their best to have all angles covered because nothing’s been made official about Robinson yet. If he leaves, the Knicks will have to be prepared to secure a replacement during the offseason.

If Robinson wants to stay in New York, it’s going to come down to the amount of money that the front office is willing to offer him. It helps that the Knicks have his Bird Rights, but there’s also the chance that Robinson could sign with another team for more money. What’ll it be?