The Knicks‘ longest-tenured player may soon be on his way out of New York. Mitchell Robinson is an unrestricted free agent, and despite previous reports that he could be “very open” to re-signing with the Knicks, team owner’s James Dolan‘s edict that the team avoid the second apron will complicate efforts to bring him back.
Dolan made those remarks during a radio appearance and seemingly left a little wiggle room, stating that roster moves are up to president Leon Rose and that he’d be willing to “write as big of a check as possible.” However, Dolan privately indicated prior to the NBA draft on Tuesday that staying out of the second apron remains a priority, according to Ian Begley of SNY.
Robinson appeared in just 48 total games from 2023-25 due to injuries and had his minutes managed carefully this season, as he logged 19.6 MPG in 60 regular season outings. But his elite offensive rebounding and strong rim protection for the 2026 champions have reportedly increased his value, which is why it looks increasingly unlikely that the big man will be back, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post (Twitter link).
Begley agrees with Bondy’s assessment, noting that keeping him would require Robinson to take a pay cut after he earned nearly $13MM in 2025/26 (Twitter link). Given his age and injury history, the 28-year-old may be interested in getting the most money possible in his next contract, especially if that offer were to come from a competitive team like the Lakers, who have been rumored to have interest.
The Knicks have been very conscious about cap-related decisions so far this offseason. They got Jose Alvarado to agree to push back the deadline for his player option decision, then traded out of the first round and the top of the second round of the 2026 draft.
If the Knicks were able to trade Pacome Dadiet into a team’s cap space, sign their second-round picks to minimum deals, and have Alvarado opt into his deal, they would still only be able to offer Robinson around $9MM as a starting salary while remaining below the second apron, notes Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (via Twitter). Suitors with the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception could offer a starting salary worth up to approximately $15MM.
Robinson still could choose to return to the team that drafted him in 2018 on a discount, but if the Knicks are serious about ducking the second apron, as it seems they are, it is looking increasingly unlikely that he will be back.
