As the New York Knicks brace for a possible future without Mitchell Robinson, the spotlight is firmly on who could step into his shoes. While some intriguing trade prospects exist across the league, the reality is that other teams might not be eager to lend a hand to the reigning champs.
This could leave the Knicks sifting through a less-than-stellar free-agent pool of centers. Already, one potential target is off the table, while another has emerged as a possibility.
On Thursday, it was revealed that the seasoned big man Al Horford is staying put with the Golden State Warriors, signing a two-year, $14 million deal. Horford, who had a player option for the 2026-27 season, was a potential target for the Knicks. However, he's opted for the stability of a longer-term deal with Golden State, declining his option in favor of the new contract.
Horford, though not the flashiest option for New York, could have been a solid fit. Over the past four years, he's averaged 9.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, impressive numbers considering he was between 36 and 39 years old during that stretch. His championship experience would have been invaluable for a Knicks team eyeing another title run.
Despite the Warriors' recent struggles, including a Play-In Tournament exit, they moved swiftly to retain Horford, offering a fully guaranteed $14 million over two years. This move highlights how much they value his presence, especially given the limited options available in the big man market. For the Knicks, a guaranteed $7 million for a 41-year-old Horford in 2027-28 was likely never on the table, as their focus remains on short-term, budget-friendly deals.
Enter Kevon Looney, a new potential fit for the Knicks. The Pelicans are expected to decline Looney's $8 million team option, making him a free agent.
Looney, a key contributor to the Warriors' championship runs, is known for his gritty play and rebounding prowess. During the 2022-23 season, he averaged 7.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, with a notable 3.3 offensive rebounds.
Even as he nears 30, Looney remains a formidable presence in the paint. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in just 15 minutes per game. This past season, injuries limited him to 24 appearances, where he posted 2.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game.
For the Knicks, rebounding-particularly on the offensive end-is a critical area to address if Robinson departs. Looney, despite being 6-foot-9, has shown he can fill this role effectively. Moreover, Looney's market value might be favorable for the Knicks, as his recent injury could lower his asking price to around the veteran minimum, aligning perfectly with New York's budget.
If the Knicks see Looney as Robinson's successor, they can offer a significant role, which might outweigh financial considerations in negotiations. Additionally, New York could bring Looney in with the opportunity to compete for the primary backup position, while also exploring other veteran options or re-signing Ariel Hukporti. This strategy provides the Knicks with flexibility, allowing them to keep their options open and potentially make additional moves as the trade deadline approaches.
Ultimately, the Knicks' approach to reshaping their center position doesn't have to end with signing Looney. He could be part of a broader strategy where multiple players step up to fill the void left by Robinson, giving head coach Mike Brown the versatility to adapt as the season unfolds.
In Other News...
Knicks May Have A Way To Keep Mitchell Robinson After All
Mitchell Robinsons next contract has become one of the more delicate Knicks questions, not just because he matters on the floor, but because of how tightly New York is trying to manage its books. Owner James Dolan has been reluctant to push too far past the NBAs second-apron luxury-tax line, which has made any long-term retention plan feel complicated even as the Knicks weigh how much they want to invest in keeping their center in place.
Still, there is a path for the front office to explore if Robinsons market does not spiral out of control. New York could use a short-term approach that keeps the roster together now and gives the team room to adjust later, with smaller trades and salary trimming potentially providing a way to get back under the line. The wrinkle is timing, because the Knicks would need enough flexibility to make that cleanup work before the leagues harsher penalties start to bind their future. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Just Got A Warning About How Brunson Could View This
Nikola Jokics looming contract choice in Denver has put a familiar fear back on the radar in New York: what happens when a franchise player has enough leverage to decide whether a max extension is really the move? For the Knicks, the name to watch is Jalen Brunson, whose future could eventually intersect with the same kind of decision point if the team keeps operating with a hard eye on its spending limits.
James Dolans reported reluctance to push the Knicks past the second salary apron only sharpens the issue, because that posture can shape more than just one contract negotiation. It affects how much flexibility the front office has now and how convincing the long-term pitch can be later, with the possibility of having to navigate tough calls on core pieces and, eventually, on the player the franchise would least want to lose. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Koleks Knicks Path Just Got A Lot Murkier
The Knicks backcourt picture got a little more crowded with news that the team has agreed to a three-year extension with Jose Alvarado, a move that reinforces the depth chart behind Jalen Brunson and trims the runway for Tyler Kolek. For a young guard trying to carve out a role, the timing matters. Every extra ballhandler changes the minutes math, the practice reps and the margin for error, and New York has made clear it values guards who can handle the ball, defend and keep the rotation flexible.
Kolek still has the kind of passing feel that can keep him in the conversation, but the path to steady playing time looks narrower now than it did before Alvarados return. The Knicks can try to get creative by using Kolek in more of a combo role, though that would come with its own ripple effects elsewhere on the roster. If the front office eventually looks for ways to balance the group, Kolek could wind up in the kind of trade conversation that often involves draft assets or bigger roster needs, which is why this latest move feels bigger than one backup guard signing. [Read more 🡒]