It’s not goodbye; it’s “C” you later.
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Mitchell Robinson’s time with the New York Knicks is coming to an end. The center has reportedly signed a three-year, $47.4 million deal that includes a player option for the finale.
Thus ends Robinson’s time in New York in the most triumphant of fashions after eight seasons. The longest-tenured Knick played a major role in the Knicks’ first championship run in over five decades, serving as a reliable backup center to Karl-Anthony Towns.
With Robinson gone, soon-to-be sixth-year man Miles McBride takes over as the longest-tenured active Knick.
Robinson originally came to the Knicks in the second round of the 2018 draft despite not playing a minute of college ball. The seven-footer made an eventual name for himself as one of the few traditional centers left on the NBA ledgers, primarily tasked with camping out under the basket, taking shots from no more than five feet away, grabbing rebounds, and greeting paint visitors.
While perhaps a relic of a bygone era, Robinson nonetheless served as a reliable x-factor for the Knicks, averaging 8.0 rebounds, 7.5 points (shooting over 70% from the field), and 1.5 blocks during his eight years of service.
Robinson was one of the final Knicks left over from the pre-Jalen Brunson era. New York won 17 games in its debut season, one that saw it start 19 games while playing behind names like Enes Kanter Freedom, DeAndre Jordan, and Luke Kornet.
It was thus perhaps all too appropriate that Robinson helped put finishing touches on the Knicks’ long-sought Larry O’Brien Trophy hoist: in the Game 5 finale, Robinson secured the rebound on a missed Josh Hart free throw as the Knicks led by three just before the shot clocks turned off.
Notorious for his poor free-throw shooting, which led teams to engage in the “Bewitch-a-Mitch” tactic that would intentionally place him at the charity stripe, Robinson dished the ball out to OG Anunoby, who hit another free throw to create a two-possession game.
On the Knicks’ all-time ledgers, Robinson ranks second in blocks (690), third in offensive rebounds (1,434), and broke Tyson Chandler’s record for field goal percentage (.702). Robinson posted a nostalgic look back on his Knicks tenure in a farewell Instagram post, featuring highlights from his eventful eight seasons. As of press time, Robinson has responded to numerous well-wishes from now-former teammates, including Anunoby, Brunson, Hart, McBride, Towns, Mikal Bridges, and Jordan Clarkson.
“New York Knicks fans and the whole Knicks organization, the past 8 years have been the highlight of my life,” Robinson said in the accompanying caption. “I can’t thank you guys enough for the journey and opportunities. I know it’s a lot of emotions going around, (and) trust me, I feel it myself. But I will always have love for where it all started! I love you and will miss you! Once a Knick, always a Knick.”
Robinson will now rep the revamped Celtics, who engaged in a rather wacky Wednesday.
The Knicks’ longtime rivals traded longtime franchise face Jaylen Brown to another divisional foe, Philadelphia, while Robinson was reportedly signed alongside former Minnesota Timberwolf Mike Conley. The Celtics got back Paul George and a plethora of picks in the Brown deal with the 76ers.
While keeping with the Knicks’ apparent desires to remain financially compliant under the second salary apron, Robinson leaves behind a bit of a power vacuum in the Knicks’ interior: hours before announcing Robinson’s departure, Charania also reported that his post protege Ariel Hukporti would move on to Philadelphia.
The Knicks could well turn to Mohamad Diawara for an extended opportunity in the post. Some prognosticators have linked current New Orleans Pelican Kevon Looney to New York after he spent several years under the watch of Knicks head coach Mike Brown in Golden State.
