Mitchell Robinson Celtics is the move that ends his run with the Knicks. The 28-year-old center intends to sign a three-year, $47.4 million contract in free agency.
That deal would take him out of New York after an eight-year tenure that began when he arrived as a second-round pick and ended with a title. For the Knicks, it leaves a vacancy behind Karl-Anthony Towns at backup center.
Knicks Lose Robinson After Eight Years
Robinson developed into a key bench piece and one of the best rebounders in the NBA, which made his departure harder for the Knicks to absorb. Miles McBride is now the longest-tenured Knick after Robinson's exit.
The timing also matters because teams were officially allowed to begin negotiating with all other free agents on Tuesday. No deals can be made official until July 6, so the contract remains a free-agency agreement that still needs the formal window to open.
Second Apron Limits The Knicks
The Knicks were roughly $9 million under the second apron after their moves, and that cap position limited what they could offer while still trying to hold the line. Owner James Dolan had stated a goal of staying under the second apron, and the team had already secured Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet, and Mohamed Diawara before Robinson's reported departure.
That is the piece that explains the split. Despite Mitchell Robinson's importance, the Knicks could not make a respectable offer while staying within that constraint, so the roster now has to absorb the loss without much room to improvise.
Game 5 Final Rebound
Robinson's last major contribution came in Game 5 of the Finals, when he corralled Josh Hart's missed free throw with 26.1 seconds left and the Knicks up by three points. The rebound kept the Spurs from getting possession and a chance to tie the game.
What comes next for the Celtics is the part still being sorted on the floor rather than in the paperwork. The signing changes Robinson's jersey and the Knicks' depth chart, but the exact role he will play in Boston is the next basketball question attached to the contract.
