Following their recent blockbuster trade to acquire superstar center Karl-Anthony Towns, the New York Knicks are reportedly fielding calls about the availability of Mitchell Robinson.
Robinson was set to be the starting center this season but is currently sidelined as he recovers from ankle surgery. His expected return is not until at least the first two months of the season, and his history of injuries has limited his effectiveness over the years.
Last season, Isaiah Hartenstein took over the starting role from Robinson when he was injured in December, maintaining that position even after Robinson returned for the playoffs. With Towns now in the lineup, Robinson is likely to find himself on the bench more often.
Given Robinson’s injury concerns and the Knicks’ financial situation—particularly after acquiring Towns—the team is exploring trade options for him. Robinson is under a four-year, $60 million contract that runs through the 2026 offseason, with a cap hit exceeding $14 million this year.
Finding an impact player in return for Robinson may prove challenging, especially given his recent history of major injuries. However, at just 26 years old, he has shown the potential to be a dominant force in the paint, which could entice teams to take a chance on him.
Last season, Robinson averaged 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 1.2 steals in only 31 games. Had he remained healthy, he might have been in contention for an All-Defense selection.
While there are whispers about pursuing wing depth in a potential trade, it will be difficult for the Knicks to convince other teams to exchange valuable players for Robinson, who has struggled to stay on the court.
Nevertheless, the Knicks could still secure some draft capital in exchange for Robinson. After recent moves, they’ve traded away six future first-round picks and several second-rounders, limiting their financial flexibility.
A trade could allow the Knicks to acquire an additional first-round pick or several second-round picks. While simply moving Robinson wouldn’t make headlines, it could significantly impact their roster strategy moving forward.
The team needs to strengthen its wing depth to enhance their rotation, but convincing other teams to give up impactful players for Robinson will be a tough sell, especially given his injury history.
As the Knicks continue to adjust following the Towns trade, Robinson’s status with the team may be in jeopardy. It remains to be seen if they will move on from the longest-tenured Knick in the near future.