Knicks Just Gave Mitchell Robinson All the Leverage in Extension Talks
The New York Knicks have undergone massive changes over the past few seasons, reshaping the roster into a contender. Yet one piece has remained constant: Mitchell Robinson. Drafted in 2018, Robinson is now the longest-tenured Knick — and suddenly, he holds more power than ever in shaping his future with the franchise.
Robinson’s Extension Window Opens
Robinson, 27, is entering the final year of the four-year, $60 million contract he signed in 2022. That makes him eligible for an extension this offseason, worth up to $89 million across four years.
For perspective, that number isn’t outrageous by current NBA standards. Toronto’s Jakob Poeltl just signed a four-year, $104 million deal, and Robinson’s impact as a starting-caliber center makes his figure seem reasonable.
But while the money itself isn’t the problem, the Knicks’ situation creates complications. Robinson’s injury history — just 58 regular-season games played across the last two years, including only 17 last season — makes any long-term commitment a gamble.
Why the Knicks Can’t Just Move On
Under normal circumstances, a front office might consider trading a player rather than committing big money. But the Knicks don’t have that luxury. Behind Robinson, there isn’t a proven center ready to step in. Ariel Hukporti is still a developmental project, and there’s no clear external replacement available.
That reality leaves New York with no choice but to keep Robinson in the fold if they want to make a legitimate championship run. In other words, Robinson has leverage — and the Knicks just handed it to him.
A Risky Wait-and-See Approach
SNY’s Ian Begley reported that the Knicks haven’t shown their hand yet on an extension, noting that the team may prefer a wait-and-see strategy by letting Robinson start the season without a new deal. That route comes with obvious risks.
Letting Robinson enter unrestricted free agency next summer could result in losing him for nothing. Another team could swoop in with a lucrative offer, and the Knicks would be left scrambling to replace their anchor in the paint.
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie suggested the Knicks might try to negotiate Robinson down by guaranteeing him the starting job, effectively offering security instead of maximum dollars. But whether Robinson accepts that type of discount remains to be seen.
More Valuable Than a “Role Player”
Robinson isn’t a star by traditional measures, but his importance goes far beyond that of a typical role player. He’s New York’s best interior defender by a wide margin and often the key to balancing lineups.
During last year’s playoffs, his presence helped mask Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive shortcomings, which was pivotal in the Knicks’ run. Tom Thibodeau even reshuffled his rotations mid-series because Robinson’s rim protection proved too valuable to leave on the bench.
That defensive impact makes Robinson more essential than his scoring numbers suggest. Losing him would mean losing the only player on the roster capable of holding down the paint at a championship level.
Injury Concerns Complicate Everything
The dilemma circles back to health. When Robinson is available, he changes the game with his shot-blocking, rebounding, and ability to anchor the defense. But availability has been the recurring question.
The Knicks are already projected to cross into the second tax apron by the 2026–27 season, which limits flexibility. Committing nearly $90 million to a player with Robinson’s injury history could be risky — but failing to commit risks losing him entirely.
Robinson Holds the Cards
At the end of the day, Robinson has all the leverage. The Knicks need him to compete at the highest level, yet they also need him to stay on the court. Whether he plays out the season without an extension or pushes for the max now, the franchise is in a position where it can’t afford to let him walk away.
For Robinson, that means the ball is firmly in his court.
