The Knicks haven’t yet made a move ahead of next week’s trade deadline, but James L. Edwards III of The Athletic suspects that will change. New York is third in the East, just 1.0 games behind the Celtics for second. According to Edwards, the Knicks appear to be open to moving Mitchell Robinson via trade.
Trading their long-tenured center could represent a way to improve the roster without touching the current rotation. Robinson hasn’t played yet this season while dealing with an ankle injury. He appeared in 31 games with the Knicks last season and has been on the team since being drafted in the second round in 2018.
The Knicks want to keep their starting lineup in place, but have been exploring the backup center market. Edwards adds the Knicks won’t attach draft capital to move Robinson since they’re a bit depleted in that respect after acquiring Mikal Bridges.
On the other hand, because of Robinson’s injury situation and history, Ian Begley of SNY doesn’t expect the Knicks to get much in return for their center. The Knicks don’t typically trade players at their lowest, so it might not be likely that Robinson ends up being moved.
“He’s the perfect player for what they need [behind Towns],” an Eastern Conference exec said to Begley. “Why trade him now?”
Another point against trading Robinson is his familiarity and favorability within the franchise.
Of all the players on New York’s roster, the player viewed as most likely to be moved ahead of the deadline is backup big Jericho Sims, Edwards writes. Adding someone on the wings who makes about the same as Sims could be a move the Knicks explore, with Edwards pointing to Javonte Green of New Orleans as a potential option.
A healthy Robinson is more valuable than anything they could get in a trade I would think.
He’s exactly what they’re looking for. They just need him healthy.
LOL. Yeah, dangle. I mean teams are always looking to get injured players at the deadline.
I guess if some team, feeling charitable, wants to give us a Mitch equivalent (healthy) for the actual Mitch (never healthy), then, sure, the NYK would like go for it. Otherwise, we’d be downgrading at the spot on our current roster.
He is already behind too. I think the original announcement was early Jan return date. He wont suit up till after the deadline.
Seriously, they might dangle the always injured guy on a multi year contract. Breaking news
Yeah, I don’t see anyone giving the Knicks anything valuable back for Mitch with his injury history and multi-year deal.
In a perfect world they move Sims for a 2nd round pick to open up enough space under the first tax line to pick up someone in the buyout market and hopefully also get some contributions from Mitch this year.
He’s exp contract next yr is 12 mill. IHart got 30 mill.
At this point. Best to get healthy. Have a good run. Trade him next yr.
Injury history Hall of Fame with embiid
“He’s the perfect player for what they need [behind Towns],” an Eastern Conference exec said to Begley. “Why trade him now?”
link to nba.com
Knicks D has improved. Adding Mitch to backup Towns is big. Makes them deeper. And keeps Towns fresher. Mitch would be part of rotation. It’s looking like he won’t be in game shape. Till March April. So it’s just best to keep him till next yr. His value will be better. A good playoff run also helps his value.
Then they must add a scorer. Sims and a pick or Kolek or all three. Can bring back a solid bench scorer. That’s what I see Knicks doing.
NYK get healthy Mitch ……. In Thibs we Trust
It also moves PA to PF and thus relieving OG and MB for ~7-9 minutes each if possible.
Then again, if the league cuts down the quarters to 10, Thibs is going with a 5 man rotation and daring other teams to do the same.
Robinson’s offensive rebounding and defense is still extremely valuable. With his injury history, what are you dealing him for? A significantly worse but healthier version of himself? Hard pass.
Mitch and a protected first for Coby White and Jalen Smith