Jalen Brunson isn’t pretending the Mitchell Robinson move is just another transaction.
Speaking with Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, the Knicks guard addressed his former teammate heading to the Boston Celtics on a three-year, $47.4 million deal, and he made it clear there’s a personal layer to it even if the league always keeps moving.
"Obviously, playing for a rival, and I know people want every team to hate each other," said Brunson. "But there are some people you really care for, and that's my guy.
I'm happy for him. And now, whenever we play him -- four times a year -- he's not my friend that day."
That’s the reality of the NBA: friendship on one side, competition on the other. And for Boston, Robinson is a major get.
The seven-foot center arrives as the Celtics’ most significant offseason signing, and his value shows up fast. He blocked 1.2 shots per game last season while playing under 20 minutes a night, and his size-athleticism combo makes him a dangerous lob target every time he rolls to the rim.
Jalen Brunson has already seen that part of Robinson’s game up close, including those back-to-back alley-oop finishes that made him such a tough cover in New York. Boston is now betting on that same pop around the basket, plus Robinson’s work on the offensive glass, where his numbers suggest he’s been even more dominant than the basic stats show.
That matters because the Celtics already thrive on creating extra possessions. Robinson can amplify that strength and give them a bigger edge in a crowded Eastern Conference, where they’ll be trying to push for a top-three seed.
He also brings something that fits their style perfectly: hard screens that open cleaner looks from deep. Boston is never shy about letting it fly from three, and Robinson’s presence should only help the shots come easier for a team built around volume and confidence from outside.
For now, the plan is for Robinson to back up incumbent starter Neemias Queta. But that setup still gives Boston a strong one-two punch at center - a rim protector and lob threat who can change the feel of a game whenever he’s on the floor.
For the Celtics, that’s a real boost. For Brunson, it’s a familiar face in a very different uniform.
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Hugo Gonzalezs FIBA Rise Comes With An Awkward Celtics Twist
The Celtics international contingent has added another layer of interest this summer, with several players in the FIBA Basketball World Cup spotlight for their home countries. For Boston, Hugo Gonzalezs run with Spain stands out not just because of the stage, but because he is sharing the floor with Juancho Hernangomez, a former Celtic who spent part of the 2021-22 season in Boston before moving on.
That connection gives Gonzalezs tournament a little extra edge for Celtics followers, even if it comes with some awkward history attached. Hernangomez once drew attention for critical remarks about the teams chemistry before later walking those comments back, so seeing him and Gonzalez linked in Spain is a reminder that these overseas games can carry Boston storylines well beyond the box score. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Suddenly Have A Sam Hauser Decision Fans Cant Ignore
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The wrinkle is that Boston also has four younger players at Hausers spot who could start pushing for minutes if they develop the way the team hopes. That creates a real roster question for the Celtics: keep the veteran shooter who already fits, or make room for the next wave and let the depth chart sort itself out. Hauser still appears to have a path to sticking around as a dependable option, but how much runway he gets may depend on how quickly those younger players force the issue. [Read more 🡒]
Payton Pritchards Celtics Role Could Decide Bostons Best Award Shot
Payton Pritchards place in Bostons rotation is shaping up to be one of the more interesting early-season subplots, not just for the Celtics, but for how it might shape their best individual award path. With the team weighing its options and other names around the league entering the Sixth Man of the Year conversation, Pritchard stands out as a familiar fit if he stays in that bench role and keeps producing the way Boston has come to expect.
The wider field is forming quickly, with Dylan Harper, Ajay Mitchell, Anfernee Simons and Ayo Dosunmu among the other players drawing attention for the same award. Boston also has Jayson Tatum in the broader MVP discussion, though that race comes with plenty of heavyweight competition, which is why Pritchards path may end up looking more realistic if the Celtics want a serious shot at hardware this season. [Read more 🡒]