The New York Knicks return with most of their championship core, but they’ve lost their heart. Mitchell Robinson signed with the rival Boston Celtics instead of staying in New York. This leaves a massive hole in the middle of their roster. Bleacher Report contributor Grant Hughes believes this move hurts the Knicks more than anyone else. He wrote that Robinson was the “one that got away” and a key rotation piece. The Knicks now face a real test without their elite rim protector.
A Huge Price Tag For A Top Defender
Robinson left after eight seasons because the Knicks wouldn’t pay him enough. He signed a three-year deal worth $47.4 million with the Celtics. This deal shows how much Boston values him as a defensive force. Hughes noted that the Knicks could have kept him but chose not to spend the money. Now, they’ll miss his ability to grab offensive rebounds and stop shots. The team lost a critical piece over a financial decision. It’s hard to argue that a defending champion is better off losing their best defender.
$47.4 million.
That’s the price Boston paid to secure a defensive anchor who dominated the paint for eight years, forcing New York to rethink their entire interior strategy without that specific budget flexibility.
Did they blow it?
Andre Drummond Steps Into a Big Role
The Knicks brought in Andre Drummond to take Robinson’s spot on the roster. Drummond is a veteran who played 15 seasons in the NBA. He was an All-Star twice with the Detroit Pistons in 2016 and 2018. But he’s mostly been a backup player since leaving Detroit in 2020. He must now start and play heavy minutes to help the team. The Knicks hope he can step up to the plate immediately. However, Drummond doesn’t offer the same value as Robinson did when healthy.
Two All-Star nods.
That’s the peak of Drummond’s career, a time when he ruled the boards in Detroit, but the game has evolved significantly since his last appearance in 2018.
Can he adapt?
Can The Knicks Repeat Without Their Anchor?
Robinson was the team’s best rim protector when he stayed healthy last year. His health issues and bad free throws made him hard to use at times. Yet, losing him still feels like a major blow to the championship hopes. Hughes pointed out that the Knicks are unlikely to repeat without him. The swap to Drummond could have long-term effects on the team’s success. It’s too early to say for sure, but the drop in talent is clear. The Knicks must hope Drummond can hold the line against the Celtics. Fans will soon see if this trade-off was worth the cost. What do you think the Knicks will do now?
Eight seasons.
That’s how long Robinson spent guarding the rim for New York, providing a level of presence that simply cannot be replaced by a veteran coming off a bench role.
The math doesn’t lie.
