The New York Knicks are expected to lose center Mitchell Robinson in free agency.
According to the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, Robinson is “unlikely to return to the Knicks next season.”
“Heard it’s unlikely Mitchell Robinson will be back with Knicks next season. He’s longest tenured Knick but also an unrestricted free agent. Owner James Dolan said he’s unwilling to pay into second apron so running it back with bench is not feasible.”
According to Bondy’s sources, the longest-tenured Knick is expected to depart and put an end to his time in New York shortly after winning the championship.
Robinson’s situation has been tied directly to the franchise’s financial stance, with Knicks owner James Dolan making it clear his organization will not cross the second apron.
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“There’s certain things in the NBA that you’d have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron. Cannot go into the second apron,” Dolan said. “I’ll write as big of a check as possible, but I can’t write a check that goes into the second apron.”
That approach has already influenced New York’s offseason moves, including trading out of the first round to avoid adding guaranteed salary, ultimately landing two second-round rookies that will likely sign minimum or two-way contracts.
SNY’s Ian Begley added that retaining Robinson would likely require a pay cut, while his value on the open market has increased, and it’d be rare to see the big man giving the Knicks such a discount.
“It’s unlikely Mitchell Robinson returns to the Knicks because, in the best case scenario, he’d have to take a pay cut in order for NYK to remain under 2nd apron.”
With free agency nearing, the gap between Robinson’s market and what the Knicks can offer appears to make a return unlikely, and the little room for maneuvering imposed by the NBA’s second apron and Dolan’s preference will make it impossible to bring all the champions back.
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This story will be updated…
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