Mitchell Robinson, previously the longest-tenured player on the New York Knicks, is set to sign a three-year, $47.4 million contract with the Boston Celtics in NBA free agency. This move marks the end of his eight-year tenure with the Knicks, a team he helped lead to an NBA championship in June 2026.
Robinson, 28, developed from a second-round pick into a key reserve and one of the league's top rebounders during his time with New York. However, the Knicks' financial constraints, specifically the goal of staying under the NBA's second apron, made retaining him improbable. Following deals for Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet, and Mohamed Diawara, the Knicks were reportedly about $9 million under the second apron and needed to sign three additional players using minimum contracts, which fell far short of Robinson's market value.
Robinson's departure necessitates the Knicks finding a new backup center behind Karl-Anthony Towns. His exit also means that Miles McBride, who joined the team in the 2021-22 season, is now the longest-tenured player on the Knicks roster.
Robinson's final significant contribution to the Knicks was on June 13, 2026, during Game 5 of the NBA Finals. With 26.1 seconds remaining and the Knicks leading by three points, he secured a crucial rebound of a missed free throw, preventing the opposing team from having a chance to tie the game and all but sealing the championship victory.
Despite a healthy regular season where he played 60 games, Robinson saw a diminished role in the postseason. Opposing teams often employed the "Hack-a-Mitch" strategy to exploit his free-throw shooting, which was at 29.3 percent in the playoffs. Additionally, he sustained a broken hand in an off-court incident between the conference finals and the NBA Finals. Throughout his tenure, Robinson became a fan favorite due to his distinctive personality, interest in country music and monster trucks, and memorable media interactions.