Knicks Right to Stay Under 2nd Salary Cap Apron After Title Amid Mitchell Robinson, NBA Rumors

The New York Knicks may be NBA champions for the first time in 53 years, but that success does not mean ownership is comfortable eclipsing the second salary cap apron.

Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported on X:

"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."

While it may not appear so on the surface, letting Robinson walk when he is expected to fetch a big payday this offseason, and staying under the second salary cap, is the right move.

Not only does the move prevent the fine that accompanies eclipsing that number, but it allows the team to focus on extending its starting lineup.

The second apron is projected to be $220 million for the 2026-27 season. Spotrac estimates the Knicks' cap space at $16.5 million for next season.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart are eligible for contract extensions this year and both should prioritized based on their contributions to the NBA title-winning squad.

The restrictiveness that the second apron puts on future NBA roster moves is another key factor in the decision, as is Robinson's limitations offensively.

While he is a dominant rim presence, he still averaged just 5.7 points and 0.9 assists this past season. Those are numbers of a bench contributor, and not one that is a particular offensive threat to any opponent.

The front office and his teammates would love to have him around, but if he is not willing to take a discount to stay in the Big Apple, it simply does not fit. Even if he would be willing to take a discount, the commitment to the starters is such that they would take precedence, leaving little room for the team to afford the 28-year-old.

And he is not the only one.

Fellow bench contributor Landry Shamet is likely to depart for the same reason.

While it may be difficult to see them leave, the long-term future of the organization, and the immediate addressing of stars' contracts, depends on management making tough decisions.

The key will be the front office's ability to find affordable veterans or young rookies who can step in and have the similar effect. Finding someone of Robinson's quality at the rim will be difficult initially, but the organization put together one of the most dominant playoff teams in modern NBA history and there is no reason to believe it cannot do so again.

Even if means staying under the apron and waving goodbye to fan-favorites and quality role players.