Knicks Center’s Future Clouded By Lingering Injury Concerns

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has found himself becoming a key member of the team's rotation. Whether it's as a starter or as a bench player, Robinson has proven himself to be valuable. While this does appear to be the case, the big man's injury history has certainly been a matter of concern. 

Now in a contract year, the Knicks may have a difficult decision to make regarding Robinson's future, per The Athletic's James Edwards III, who wrote:

"The Knicks know Robinson better than anyone, and he’s been unable to stay on the court due to various injuries. I’ve gotten the sense that New York would be willing to sign Robinson to a team-friendly extension that covers them in the event he continues to get hurt."

"On the flip side, I’m sure Robinson points to his performances in the postseason and believes he can get one more nice deal from the Knicks or someone else if he’s able to stay healthy in a contract year."

Edwards raised some interesting points about whether Robinson will end the 2025-26 season with New York. While his performances in the playoffs were undoubtedly a positive sight for the Knicks, his partial availability during the regular season will certainly be a factor in the organization's eventual decision.

The Knicks have undergone a massive shift in the offseason. After their shortcomings in the Eastern Conference Finals, a franchise-wide overhaul was expected following the firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau. 

Although this presented the possibility of roster changes too, leading to trade rumors involving several players, including Robinson, no such deals materialized.

But this doesn't necessarily dismiss the possibility of a midseason trade either. Given Robinson's status as an expiring contract worth $12.9 million, New York could still explore their options to make the necessary upgrades.

The 27-year-old center certainly has value as a defensive anchor and rebounder. Last season, he posted an average of 5.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game in only 17.1 minutes played. While this would imply that he could be more productive in a more significant role, the doubts regarding his injury history would also need to be addressed.

In the last two seasons, Robinson has appeared in 48 games, logging only 17 for the 2024-25 season. When considering how repetitive his injuries have been, specifically involving his ankles, even other teams showing an interest in the big man may hesitate to acquire him.

As constructed, the Knicks appear to have the pieces in place to contend in the East. With a new head coach and a new system, New York could see some stylistic changes, too. 

Given their limited big man rotation, the Knicks may not choose to trade Robinson just yet. With the February deadline acting as a window of opportunity, the 27-year-old could prove his worth by being available and contributing to winning.