2 Teams that could realistically pursue a trade for Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson
By Mark Nilon
![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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/27f7e9e1ea0db5d49e42f83e92c60c81a6cab4b5d4854b52d7670212d0523c18.jpg)
Dallas Mavericks
This summer, the Dallas Mavericks opted to re-up with last season’s big-time trade deadline acquisition Kyrie Irving to the tune of a three-year, $120 million contract. With this, it all but cements the sentiment that the team is in an all-in mode as the star guard gears up for his first full year running alongside cornerstone Luka Doncic.
Yet, despite boasting a roster led by two of the game’s best players, Jason Kidd’s lineup is by no means flawless, and perhaps their biggest sore spot resides in the size department.
Last season, the Mavs had just five players who measured in at above 6-foot-6. Unsurprisingly, they found themselves finishing with the fewest rebounds in the league, pulling down a mere 3,181, which was 141 fewer than the next-to-worst team, the Brooklyn Nets, while also allowing the 13-most paint points to be scored at 4,190.
Though they did make some talent upgrades to their frontcourt depth this summer with the acquisition of power forward Grant Williams, they failed to bring on more size, as the “big” measures in at just 6-foot-6.
With rumblings already surfacing hinting that Doncic could be unhappy with the state that Dallas is in, it goes without saying that their front office cannot afford to go a second straight year without reaching the playoffs. A way to try and avoid such an unfortunate turnout is to try and address some of their glaring weaknesses, and pursuing a trade for Robinson could be an idea well worth pondering.
This Mitchell Robinson block on Tatum 😡👋 pic.twitter.com/ajpkMLL92x
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 28, 2023
At 7 feet tall, Robinson would tower over all but 7-foot-1 rookie Dereck Lively II, though his current skill set far better fits the timeline Dallas is currently on.
Over the last two seasons, the center has posted impressive per-game averages of 8.0 points, 8.9 rebounds (4.3 of which have come on the offensive end), and 1.8 blocks on 72.1 percent shooting from the field while sporting a stellar 108 defensive rating along the way.
Bringing him aboard the worst-ranked rebounding team and sixth-worst defensive team from last year would do wonders in helping improve their overall play, and considering how desperate they are to win now, they may just be willing to match Robinson’s lofty price point set by the Knicks.