As the NBA trade deadline draws near, the New York Knicks are staring down a tough call-one that could shape the future of their frontcourt and their championship aspirations. At the center of the conversation is Mitchell Robinson, the team’s longest-tenured player and, quietly, one of the most dominant rebounders in the league this season.
Robinson, now in his eighth year, has suited up for 31 of the Knicks’ 44 games so far. And when he’s on the floor, he’s been a force-especially on the offensive glass.
According to Basketball Index, Robinson ranks in the 100th percentile in offensive rebounding talent, offensive boards per 75 possessions, and putbacks per 75. That’s not just elite company-that’s best-in-the-league territory.
He’s been relentless in second-chance opportunities, giving the Knicks valuable extra possessions and anchoring their inside presence.
But as good as Robinson has been, the Knicks are facing a financial puzzle that could force their hand. Team President Leon Rose has made it clear: this is a franchise pushing its chips in. With recent long-term deals handed out to OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, the Knicks are operating with razor-thin flexibility under the NBA’s new salary cap rules.
Right now, New York is just $148,000 shy of the second apron-a punitive threshold that severely limits a team’s ability to make moves. If the Knicks cross that line, their trade flexibility shrinks dramatically.
They’d only be able to take back dollar-for-dollar salary in any deal, leaving no room for maneuvering. For a team trying to stay nimble while chasing a title, that’s a dangerous spot to be in.
Which brings us back to Robinson.
He’s in the final year of the four-year, $60 million contract he signed back in 2022. At 27 years old and playing some of the best basketball of his career, Robinson is poised to hit unrestricted free agency ahead of the 2027 season. And with the Knicks already locked into big-money deals, another long-term extension might not be in the cards.
So the question becomes: do the Knicks ride it out with Robinson and risk losing him for nothing this summer? Or do they explore trade options while his value is sky-high?
There’s no easy answer, but the latter could make sense for a team that’s all-in but still needs to stay under the financial line. Robinson’s impact this season has been undeniable, but so is the harsh math of the NBA’s new collective bargaining rules.
If New York does look to move him, there are teams out there that could use a rim-running, glass-cleaning 7-footer. The Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors all come to mind as potential landing spots for a big man who can make an immediate impact.
No matter how it shakes out, this is a pivotal moment for the Knicks. Robinson has been a steady presence through years of transition. But with the Feb. 5 trade deadline looming and the front office eyeing the next big step, his future in New York hangs in the balance.