Report: Knicks key reserve Mitchell Robinson likely to leave in free agency

The New York Knicks are already planning for the 2026/27 season after their historic championship, their first in 53 years, and financial limits mean they may not be able to keep the whole roster together. According to the New York Post, center Mitchell Robinson is not expected to return, because he is an unrestricted free agent and owner James Dolan does not want the team to operate above the second apron, a particularly restrictive salary cap threshold.

Robinson, 28, was selected 36th overall by the Knicks in the 2018 draft and is the longest-tenured player on the roster. He is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s best offensive rebounders, and in the title-clinching Game 5 in San Antonio he grabbed a crucial offensive rebound in the clutch before New York closed out the series 4-1.

Brooklyn, the team across the river, could be a fit. The Nets traded Nic Claxton to Chicago, did not draft a center, and are expected to look for help at the five in free agency. That makes Robinson a possible target for the team featuring Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf.

Nets reporter Erik Slater said, “We’ll have to keep an eye on this,” but added, “my guess is Robinson ends up with the Los Angeles Lakers.” Meanwhile, three Knicks rotation players, Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Clarkson, are also out of contract, and president Leon Rose is expected to keep at least two of them. Other possible Robinson replacements mentioned were Deandre Ayton, Andre Drummond, Jaxson Hayes, Nick Richards, Brook Lopez, Nikola Vucevic and, via trade, Yves Missi. Over eight seasons in New York, Robinson averaged 7.5 points on 70.2% shooting, 8.0 rebounds, including 3.7 offensive boards, and 1.7 blocks.