The New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time in 53 years.
What happened?
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported that Mitchell Robinson is unlikely to return to the Knicks next season. He's the longest-tenured Knick but also an unrestricted free agent. Owner James Dolan said he's unwilling to pay into the second apron.
Why it matters for New York Knicks
Letting Robinson walk and staying under the second salary cap is the right move. It prevents the fine that accompanies eclipsing that number and allows the team to focus on extending its starting lineup. The second apron is projected to be $220 million for the 2026-27 season. Spotrac estimates the Knicks' cap space at $16.5 million for next season.
What comes next?
Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart are eligible for contract extensions this year and should be prioritized. The restrictiveness that the second apron puts on future NBA roster moves is another key factor in the decision. Robinson's limitations offensively are also a consideration. He averaged just 5.7 points and 0.9 assists this past season.
| Player | Points | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Robinson | 5.7 | 0.9 |
The front office and his teammates would love to have him around, but if he's not willing to take a discount to stay in the Big Apple, it simply does not fit. Even if he would be willing to take a discount, the commitment to the starters is such that they would take precedence, leaving little room for the team to afford the 28-year-old.
Last result: Milwaukee Bucks 107-116 New York Knicks (2025-03-29). Recent form (last 3): 3W-0D-0L (WWW, most recent first); on a 3-game winning run.
The key will be the front office's ability to find affordable veterans or young rookies who can step in and have a similar effect. Finding someone of Robinson's quality at the rim will be difficult initially, but the organization put together one of the most dominant playoff teams in modern NBA history and there is no reason to believe it cannot do so again.
