New Knicks Rumors on Mitchell Robinson's Free Agency and Latest on KAT, Josh Hart's Contracts

The New York Knicks intend to make center Mitchell Robinson a "priority" as he enters free agency this summer, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

Windhorst reported Monday on SportsCenter the newly crowned NBA champions "intend to make Mitchell an offer that will keep him" and expect to dip well into the luxury tax.

When accounting for the contracts on the books and their salary cap holds, the Knicks are just $3.5 million away from the first apron for 2026-27.

Proactively re-signing Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart, who both have options for 2027-28, could be a way for New York to manage its long-term payroll costs. Windhorst pointed to stars Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges taking a little less money to suggest Towns in particular could accept something below the full max.

The six-time All-Star can earn as much as $272 million over four years on his next deal.

Remaining at the top of your sport is difficult in any league with a salary cap, and the challenge is particularly acute in the NBA thanks to the restrictive first and second aprons.

The San Antonio Spurs only just arrived as a title contender, and some are already wondering how they'll manage to keep their core together when Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are all eligible for extensions in successive offseasons.

The Knicks are in the same boat, albeit with a much older roster.

Robinson and guards Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet are New York's notable free agents. Towns can hit the open market in 2027. Brunson and OG Anunoby can opt out in 2028 with Bridges to follow in 2029.

The Knicks and their fans don't want to really think about this because they're basking in the afterglow of the Finals.

Team president Leon Rose and senior vice president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas are still aware of what lies ahead.

Even if Robinson, Towns and Hart take a little less money to stay in the Big Apple, running it back is going to get more and more expensive for New York, and it will in turn be more difficult to avoid the second apron.