Mitchell Robinson indicated he did not wish to leave the New York Knicks to join the rival Boston Celtics, according to a social media exchange shortly after his agreement with Boston was announced.
In response to a frowning emoji from former Knicks teammate OG Anunoby on Instagram, Robinson wrote, "I tried brother I didn't want this to happen. Hopefully the truth comes out at some point." He also offered words of encouragement to Anunoby, telling him to "Keep being great."
The comments came as Robinson, a key player in the Knicks' recent NBA championship, agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Celtics. This move has sparked discussions among fans regarding the Knicks' financial decisions under owner James Dolan.
Some fans attributed Robinson's departure to Dolan's reluctance to exceed the NBA's luxury tax thresholds. One fan noted that Dolan had "tied everyone's hands in the deal," implying that the team's financial constraints prevented them from re-signing Robinson. Dolan himself stated that the Knicks "cannot go into the second apron," a punitive tier in the NBA's luxury tax system that limits team flexibility in trades and free agency.
The NBA's luxury tax structure includes a soft salary cap of $165 million for the upcoming season, with additional penalties for teams exceeding $201 million (luxury tax threshold), $209 million (first apron), and $222 million (second apron). Exceeding these aprons can result in significant financial penalties and limitations on team operations.
Conversely, some fans defended the Knicks' decision, pointing to Robinson's offensive limitations. While recognized as a strong defender, Robinson's free-throw shooting percentage was less than 41 percent in the 2025-26 season, which sometimes led to him being benched in crucial game moments. One comment suggested that the team was unwilling to "overpay for a guy that is only a threat on one side of the ball," contrasting his situation with that of captain Jalen Brunson, who reportedly turned down a more lucrative deal to stay with the Knicks.
Brunson's decision to sign an extension in 2024 for less than a full max contract was credited with helping the Knicks end a 53-year championship drought. He was instrumental in their NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Meanwhile, the Celtics have also agreed to re-sign center Neemias Queta to a four-year, $56 million extension. However, Boston will be without Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, who was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a deal that brought back draft picks and veteran Paul George. The Knicks are reportedly seeking a backup center to complement Karl-Anthony Towns.