But while Robinson remains extremely impactful in aspects of the game the Knicks currently struggle in, despite playing behind Karl-Anthony Towns in the depth chart, New York has a major decision to make about Robinson’s future this summer.
The seven-footer will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, in the last year of a four-year, $60 million deal he signed in 2022, and likely in line for a new pay raise. With all the money tied up in the Knicks’ current salary cap situation, finding a way to keep Robinson on a new contract without breaking up the current core feels more and more like an unrealistic scenario.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 11: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks gestures against the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Knicks defeated the 76ers 138-89.
For the Knicks, keeping Robinson on a team-friendly contract this offseason would be ideal.
However, based on both his performance this season and his constant critiques and disapproval of his role on the team (mostly expressed on social media), the idea of him taking a pay cut to remain behind Towns as their top big man feels unlikely.
“Outside of minimum shopping, New York must find a way to keep Robinson, whom OG Anunoby described as ‘a special player’ and added ‘(there’s) no one like him in the league,’” he wrote. ” Robinson’s availability is always iffy, and his scoring range extends as far as his arms can reach, but he really is a game-changing presence on the glass and around the basket.”
However, at the same time he named Robinson as a dream free agency target for the Knicks to keep, Buckley described the Chicago Bulls as a realistic landing spot for the center, while also putting the Washington Wizards in the race for him this summer.
“The Knicks might appreciate the heck out of Robinson’s bounce and presence on the glass, but they surely have a walk-away price point given his lengthy injury history. And Chicago can surely afford to offer whatever that number is,” he added. “(Washington) could still have access to the full midlevel. If that’s enough to lure Robinson away from the Knicks, Washington should pounce on the chance to have an impact depth piece behind the Brow.”
Robinson means a lot to the Knicks, but with the money they already have tied up in their core, as well as the max contract they’ll likely have to offer Jalen Brunson soon, keeping the rebounding monster after this season is starting to look less and less likely.
Knicks This Season And Current Injury Report
GettyA new McBride injury update for the New York Knicks signals good news after he was originally set to be out for 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Robinson as a free agent remains a future problem for New York, and while the idea of them keeping him past this year feels unlikely, he remains a key piece for the team now as they hope to make a title push with the 2025-26 roster.
The Knicks have been up and down this season to say the least, winning the NBA Cup but also going through multiple losing streaks, all while questions persist on whether head coach Mike Brown is the right person to lead this group.
But at 47-25 and third in the East, another deep playoff run remains a hope for New York right now. They’ve won six in a row, and while they’ve still been plagued with inconsistency from Mikal Bridges and other key members of the rotation, things could certainly be going worse at this point in the season.
Additionally, the Knicks have a few players listed on the injury report. Miles McBride remains out, recovering from surgery he underwent in early February. The latest update on the backup guard signals he’ll be back sometime soon, but he still doesn’t have a direct timeline for a return.
“Encouraging news: Deuce McBride is taking contact, according to Mike Brown,” Stefan Bondy of the New York Post wrote on X. “He hasn’t played since January and said he’s hoping to return before the playoffs. Game 1 is a month away.”
New York also has Landry Shamet and Kevin McCullar on the injury report, both listed as day-to-day with knee and calf injuries, respectively.
But overall, the Knicks have been pretty healthy, barring Josh Hart bouncing back and forth from the injury report.
It remains to be seen whether this team can go further in the postseason than last year’s Tom Thibodeau-led squad, but for now, things look and feel better at this point of the season than they did a few months ago.