New Knicks Rumors Reveal 'Threat' to Land Mitchell Robinson Contract in NBA Free Agency
The New York Knicks might have to outbid a Western Conference team to keep Mitchell Robinson on the roster next season.
The New York Post's Stefan Bondy reported Friday that "sources around the league have pegged the Sacramento Kings as a threat to pry away Robinson in free agency."
Bondy described Kings general manager Scott Perry, who was general manager of the Knicks when Robinson was drafted in 2018, as a longtime fan of his former player.
The Kings would likely need to make some roster moves in order to bring Robinson to Sacramento. Perry's team is hard-capped at the first apron, which Spotrac projects the team is currently set to exceed by $1 million next season.
The Knicks also have limited space to make Robinson an offer. The team is projected by Spotrac to have just $3.5 million in first-apron space and $16.5 million in second-apron room even with Robinson coming off the books next season.
Robinson is playing under a cap hit of just below $13 million in the fourth season of his previous deal with the Knicks.
He received Sixth Man of the Year votes this season after coming off the Knicks bench to average 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in under 20 minutes per night.
Robinson hit those numbers by shooting 72.3 percent from the field, making him the Knicks' most efficient shooter.
Injuries are a concern for Robinson, who sat out most of the 2024-25 campaign after undergoing ankle surgery and missed time due to injury management this season. Should he help lead the Knicks to the NBA Finals, however, he could strengthen his case for a new contract in New York.
For now, Robinson and the Knicks are still waiting to see which opponent they'll be facing in the Eastern Conference Finals. The answer will come down to Sunday night's Game 7 between the Detroit Pistons and visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.
