The New York Knicks are bringing back most of their championship roster to the team next season, with one glaring exception.
Mitchell Robinson, the longest-tenured member of the team, left New York after eight seasons to sign with the rival Boston Celtics in free agency. Bleacher Report contributor Grant Hughes believes losing Robinson is a downgrade for New York.
“Mitchell Robinson, a more prominent rotation piece than any of the Knicks’ retentions, was the one that got away,” Hughes wrote.
“He’ll
play for the Celtics next season in the first year of a three-year deal worth $47.4 million.
“The Knicks didn’t have to let him go, and there’s a good chance they’ll miss his elite offensive rebounding and defensive force. Sure, health concerns and the foul-shooting struggles that rendered Robinson occasionally unplayable during the title run loom large. But it’s nonetheless disappointing to watch a defending champion lose a critical piece over money.”
Robinson was offered far more than the Knicks were willing to spend, which ultimately led him to leave the team. In his place, Andre Drummond steps in for his 15th NBA season. Drummond was a two-time All-Star with the Detroit Pistons back in 2016 and 2018, but he has been primarily a backup since leaving the Pistons in 2020.
Drummond will be asked to step up to the plate with Robinson no longer on the roster, but it’s clear that the team is not getting the same amount of value.
We’re about to find out exactly how valuable Robinson was to the Knicks. It showed a lot in this past season when he was healthy and the team’s best rim protector, but replacing him with Drummond could have long-term effects that could prevent the Knicks from repeating as champions.
P&T community, how do you feel about swapping out Robinson for Drummond? Let us know in the comments section below.
