2: Robin Lopez
What’s going to happen if Robinson leaves the Knicks this summer? The front office could be planning to draft his replacement, but if that doesn’t happen, there will be several options for New York to consider in free agency.
One of those options is Robin Lopez, who played in all 82 games for the Knicks in 2015-16. He was sent to the Chicago Bulls during the 2016 offseason as part of the Derrick Rose trade. Now, ironically enough, there’s a chance that both he and Rose could be in New York together.
Lopez spent the 2021-22 season with the Orlando Magic, where he averaged 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 55.3% from the floor. He played in a career-low 36 games, but that’s because his role was to help guide a rebuilding team and not to be a huge factor on the court.
The 34-year-old is no longer meant to be part of a starting rotation, and even after playing in less than half of the season this past year, he’d be a decent off the bench option. In 2020-21, Lopez played in 71 games for the Washington Wizards and averaged 9 points and 3.8 rebounds in an average of 19.1 minutes per contest, so it’s not as if he’s incapable of being a consistent force down low.
If Robinson walks, the Knicks will be left with Jericho Sims, Taj Gibson, and Nerlens Noel. The latter played in 25 games this past year due to an injury and is set to make $9.3 million in 2022-23 before having a $9.7 club option in 2023-24. There have been rumors about a possible Noel trade, and if that ends up being the case, the front office could consider signing Lopez.
He’d be a great veteran presence for Sims and would be able to provide meaningful minutes, namely on the offensive end. However, if Robinson stays, and if Noel isn’t traded, there won’t be a need for Lopez.