The New York Knicks are at the forefront of the NBA world after they made a significant trade that could bolster their NBA title hopes this upcoming season. On Friday, the Knicks traded for Karl Anthony Towns and sent away All-Star Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The trade shocked the NBA world to the core, and while the Knicks improved, they may not be done tweaking their roster.
According to Knicks insider Kris Pursiainen, New York could be taking calls for veteran center Mitchell Robinson.
Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks prepares to enter the game during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden on April 04, 2024 in New York City. The Knicks won 120-109. The New York Knicks are taking calls on a possibly trading veteran center, Mitchell Robinson.
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
“The New York Knicks are receiving and taking calls on center Mitchell Robinson, their longest-tenured player. Sources familiar with the situation say the likelihood of a deal is unknown but the team seems to be willing to make another move after the blockbuster add of Karl Towns,” Pursiainen tweeted.
The 26-year-old has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. Last season, he played in 31 games due to an ankle injury. Robinson was able to pay in the postseason against the Phialkdpehia 76ers in the first round but re-aggravated the injury after a skirmish with Joel Embiid sent him back to the sidelines.
Because of that, Robinson needed another ankle surgery in May, and he isn’t expected to be back in the lineup until late December or January. Robinson’s healthiest season came in 2021-22 when he played 72 games with 62 starts and averaged 8.5 points per game, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 0.8 steals while shooting 76.1 percent from the field.
Outside of that, in the next two seasons, Robinson combined to play 90 games with 79 starts and averaged 6.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 64.1 percent from the field and 45 percent from the charity stripe.
Although the Knicks are a better team thanks to Towns’ addition, they still need a player like Robinson to do the little stuff, especially since they lost Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency.
Robinson’s stellar offensive rebounding could benefit the Knicks or any other team interested in him. Last season, Robinson averaged the most offensive rebounds per game in the league (4.6 OREB).
While he could bring a different dynamic to the Knicks or another team, health has been a huge worry for the seven-foot center with a 7-foot-4 wingspan. Plenty of teams could use Robinson’s services; the only question is whether he can stay healthy and what the price will be for him.
More news: Knicks Shockingly Waive Veteran Forwards Following Blockbuster Karl-Anthony Towns Trade
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