Michael Scotto of HoopsHype spoke to five executives about Mitchell Robinson‘s value as the Knicks center nears unrestricted free agency and came away the impression that a deal in the mid-level range ($10MMish) might be on the low end for Robinson this offseason. Generally speaking, the projected range for the big man was closer to $12-13MM per year, according to Scotto.
As Scotto notes, Robinson doesn’t have a perimeter game and has dealt with a series of injuries in his first four NBA seasons, but his ability to protect the rim on defense and finish around the basket on offense makes him valuable. The Knicks will presumably want to avoid losing him for nothing in free agency, which could give him some leverage in contract negotiations.
“One executive told me, ‘I think the Knicks re-sign him and maybe overpay to do so to keep him as an asset. It’ll be a tough negotiation given what they gave Nerlens Noel,'” Scotto told Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News on the HoopsHype podcast.
One exec told Scotto he could see Robinson getting $15MM per year if there’s outside competition for his services. Bondy has heard the Pistons and Mavericks mentioned as possible suitors, and Scotto agrees that the Pistons will be in the mix, especially if they’re unable to seriously contend for a higher-level target like Suns RFA Deandre Ayton.
Here’s more on the Knicks from Scotto and Bondy:
- Scotto has spoken to multiple executives who believe Nerlens Noel could be back on the trade block this summer after popping up in trade rumors prior to last month’s deadline. Bondy, meanwhile, notes that Evan Fournier was one of the names the Knicks were “kicking around” before the deadline, indicating that he’ll probably still be a trade candidate going forward. “Given the right opportunity and price, he’s a guy they’d move on from,” Bondy said.
- Bondy downplayed the Julius Randle trade rumors that surfaced prior to the deadline, suggesting the Knicks never really considered selling low on the veteran forward this season. “There might have been some calls here and there, but nothing ever got serious at all,” Bondy said.
- Both Scotto and Bondy expect the Knicks will be able to find a taker for Kemba Walker this summer, though Bondy acknowledges they likely won’t get much back for him. “One GM told me he was concerned about trading for Kemba because of his knees and his limited availability on back-to-back games,” Scotto said.
- Although Bondy believes the Knicks are open to trading Cam Reddish, he’s skeptical it will happen, since the team would be reluctant to essentially admit that giving up a protected first-round pick for him was a mistake. Reddish probably won’t sign an extension this offseason, but he’ll likely stick with the Knicks for at least another year, Bondy says.
Cam, RJ plus whoever they draft with their upcoming lottery pick should be the foundation of the future of the Knicks going forward. Trading Randle this summer seems like the move. He’s not a great fit with RJ bc theyre so similar & have the same weaknesses but he’s healthy, in his prime, extremely productive, versatile & he’ll be highly valued by numerous teams. It made sense in the moment to run it back with a team that got the city so hype like last yr’s Knicks did, but it obv didn’t work & now it’s time for a different approach. Mitch Robinson is gonna be tricky tho. If I’m Portland I see Mitch as a better option than Nurk tbh, especially if they’re able to get LaVine as well. Having teams like Detroit, Portland & maybe even San Antonio all interested in him might push his price tag into territory that NYK doesn’t wanna be. While Mitch is a force as a rim protector, he’s basically average as far as starting 5s in the East. You don’t wanna be locked into paying this guy Capela type money for the next 4,5yrs when a.he’s not as good/impactful as Capela, b.hes injury prone & c.the team has actually been more successful without him over the past couple seasons. I’d probably let Mitch walk this summer. Next season should probably be a development type season for the Knicks, not quite tanking but I’d start Cam/RJ/Obi at the 2-4. Maybe draft TyTy Washington or Orlando Robinson to be the 1 or 5 of the future. If Thibs is ok with continuing as coach then keep him, if not there’s always Kelvin Sampson/Ed Cooley or numerous other options
Seriously dude. You have no clue about NY. Things are different here. And not always for right reasons. Executives are cut throat. And look out for themselves. It’s a different world lol. Thibs right now better watch his back.
Robinsin is not even close to Nurkic and Lavine isn’t going to the blazers lol
Scotto also talked about sending RJ for Donovan Mitchell since the Knicks have never signed aextension since Charlie Ward … This trade would probably include Fournier to play a french connection with Rudy
To be clear, Scotto asked Bondy if the Knicks would think about trading Barrett, and Bondy said he believes they view him as a cornerstone piece.
Both agreed Barrett would be the Knicks’ most enticing piece if they tried to make a trade for a Donovan Mitchell-like player, but there’s no indication that’s a realistic possibility.
I took a shortcut cause i liked the Idea of this trade for both teams …
Haha, fair. Just wanted to make it clear why I didn’t mention that item in our story (Barrett being viewed as a cornerstone and being the Knicks’ best trade chip is nothing new, nor is their desire to land a player like Mitchell).
The only way Utah would trade Mitchell is if he indicated that he wanted out. Even then Reddish and Barret along with several 1st and 2nds would be the asking price as several teams would scramble to put together a package as he would be entering his prime with three years left on his contract. The Knicks would be better off taking the slower approach and trying to develop Reddish and Barret.
Well i would prefer to pair Donovan Mitchell with Randle than giving a max to Barrett and resign Reddish
What’s frustrating is the Knicks have an abundance of “almosts”, but no real clear path going forward.
I’ve been saying it all year — this team has no identity. Between player mood swings and Thibideau rolling out a different lineup each night, there just seems to be no real clear direction from the top down.
Someone in the org needs to just make a decision and stick to it. Without a map you are destined to get lost.
And don’t talk to me about injuries. Bulls have been missing Caruso and Ball and still manage to hold a respectable record. Everyone deals with it.
This NYK FO is about as market savvy as it gets. They won’t overpay for MR or anyone else (assuming it means paying more than what’s needed to meet the market for the player). But, as a rebuilding team, even meeting the market, even for an important player, might be problematic. If he were an essential building block, he should never have gotten to UFA status. Rebuilding teams can’t make a practice of retaining their own players in the UFA market. Lots of good reasons to take this risk with MR, and not with Randle. In any event, MR is now in play. How he finishes will determine both his contract, and whether the NYK will be willing to step up to it. From a BB standpoint, at least as long as Thibs is here, we fit him.
They overpaid 3-4 times last year for a market savvy FO
Always comical when the 2k’ers weigh in. Let’s see, Rose was head of CAA, WWW has been called the most connected man in basketball, and Aller is a noted top cap specialist. You, on the other hand, have the basketball acumen of the average house pet, and only a marginally better level of literacy. So don’t expect anyone with more of either to take your word for anything.
I guess savvy front offices are perpetually in rebuild mode.
It’s amazing Randle’s assist to TO ratio isn’t lower – he must lead the league is passes that are 6 inches too far left or right.
He’s also top 5 worst body language in the league. Maybe it’s just me but watching him you get this feeling that this dude thinks everything should run through him on an almost LeBron level.
Needless to say, I’d like to see NY move off him this summer. I think he has value but he needs to be in a situation where he can be a clear second (or third) option.
Wouldn’t you have a dreadful body language if you played for the NYK?
Can’t blame the dude, right?
This.
First off Mitchell is from NY. And if he wanted to come here he would. He’s a FA in 2025. So It would have to be a trade.
RJ is a core piece he’s not going anywhere. Mitch last yr was. But he’s not really the offensive player we need. His ceiling is defensive force. Who needs an offense a PG to get him points. He will want too much. Knicks should sign n trade him. We pick 10-12 in draft Duren will be there. I rather go with him ……..
Randle should be traded. This is going to mess our growth as a team. And ultimately it could get Thibs fired. He’s proven to me NY is not for him. Go somewhere and be the all star you can be. We don’t need or want the DRAMA ……..
He can be an all star in China, not in the NBA, not again.
RJ is a future core piece…Randle gives you 20/10/5- if traded need to replace his #’s, I think he should be traded… Knicks need point guard that is a difference maker/- without that Knicks won’t be a top 6 team in the east. Randle plus picks for point guard… major package to Portland for Lillard…. Do the Knicks want to pay lillard 50m for 2 year extension coming off injury… don’t see Portland keeping Dame, rebuilding around Simons… remember NY, stars don’t hurt….. Need to play kids, Next year play Reddish & kids…
With the injury, it’s at least a possibility we never see Reddish suit up in a Knicks uniform again. I see the NYK trading Cam unless Thibs moves on. That would be a disappointing use of draft capital for a team sorely in need of all the picks they can get.
That would be 1 previous lottery pick in Knox and a future 1st for a couple of 2nds, cause thats what they are getting now for him. Another great move by the Knicks.
Good call. They’re going nowhere at this rate.