Knicks Should Prepare to Let Mitchell Robinson Leave in Free Agency Amid NBA Rumors

The New York Knicks are still celebrating their first NBA Championship in 53 years, but the front office must now turn its attention to offseason business and the harsh reality that the team must prepare to let a star player leave in free agency.

Ian Begley of SNY's The Putback reported that the Knicks intend to stay below the second apron. As such, it will be "really tough to bring Mitchell Robinson back, assuming he gets strong offers on the open market - which he will."

Robinson proved to be a strong defensive presence coming off the bench for the Knicks, but he averaged just 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 19.6 minutes per game.

Add to that a robust history of injuries that have prevented him from playing more than 70 games in all but one season, and you have plenty of justification for the Knicks to consider moving on from the big man.

Even more so when factoring in the big-money payday he is likely to attract from other teams needing defensive help and/or a quality big man.

That all changes if Robinson expresses an interest in taking a pay cut for a chance at running it back with the Knicks, but that seems rather unlikely given what the market for a player with his skill set will command. Factor in Landry Shamet also being an impending free agent, and being more affordable than Robinson, and you have even more reason to believe that the 28-year-old center/forward's time in the Big Apple is drawing to a close.

And it should.

The Knicks have other players of greater importance, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart both due contract extensions. Signing them is key as both played monumental roles in the Knicks' playoff run and championship win. If staying under the second apron is a priority, that means some players will not (and cannot) return, including Robinson.

Let the big man get his money this offseason and continue his career elsewhere, while paying the championship core.

Will it be easy to transition into a squad missing Mitchell's occasionally dominant presence? No, but the team made draft-day trades that netted them five second-round picks, which could help them acquire or select his predecessor.

That certainly softens the blow and sets the organization up for the future, which they hope will be defined by more Larry O'Brien trophies, parades, and championship celebrations.