Mitchell Robinson, Knicks
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Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks dunks the ball during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The New York Knicks have again been pulled into the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade conversation, but a far quieter roster decision may carry just as much weight for their future.
According to ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks, the Knicks’ ability to retain center Mitchell Robinson could hinge on whether they are able to move forward Guerschon Yabusele and his salary from the books.
“Removing Yabusele’s $5.8 million salary next season would allow New York to re-sign center Mitchell Robinson and possibly remain below the second apron,” Marks wrote. “The Knicks are projected to be $16.3 million below entering the offseason.”
Robinson-Knicks Extension Talks Still Unsettled
The Knicks have until June 30 to finalize an extension with Robinson. If no deal is reached by then, the 27-year-old center will enter unrestricted free agency this summer.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported in October that extension talks between the Knicks and Robinson’s camp had begun but were not progressing toward an agreement.
“The Knicks have had some discussions about extending center Mitchell Robinson, sources say, but there hasn’t yet been traction toward a deal,” Windhorst reported at the time. “Robinson is in the last year of a contract that pays him $13 million this season.”
Robinson downplayed the negotiations during training camp.
“I’m gonna come out here and play hard still regardless, whether it’s my last year or my first year,” Robinson said. “But at the same time, I’m gonna let my agent handle that part of it. I’m just gonna play basketball.”
Robinson is represented by Thad Foucher and Joe Smith of Wasserman, the same agents who negotiated his current four-year, $60 million deal, which declines annually to an expiring $12.9 million salary this season.
Yabusele’s Contract Looms Large for Knicks
Guerschon Yabusele , Knicks
GettyGuerschon Yabusele of the New York Knicks is on the trade block.
Yabusele’s future has increasingly come into focus as the Knicks weigh long-term flexibility. The forward has struggled to carve out a consistent role in New York, and his $5.8 million salary for next season now carries outsized importance relative to the cap.
Moving that contract would provide the Knicks with additional breathing room as they attempt to retain Robinson without pushing into the second apron — a threshold that carries significant roster-building penalties.
Multiple reports point to the Knicks’ several discussions surrounding Yabusele’s contract, but they have not gained traction.
While the Knicks have been linked to star-level pursuits, including Antetokounmpo, internal maneuvering may prove just as decisive.
Robinson Anchors Defensive Resurgence
Robinson’s on-court play has strengthened his case during New York’s recent rebound.
After enduring a 2–9 stretch, the Knicks have won four straight games, with Robinson’s defense standing out as a stabilizing force. Over his last four games, he averaged 11.0 rebounds, 8.0 points, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks in just 22.3 minutes per game off the bench.
During a road win in Philadelphia, Robinson delivered several timely blocks against former MVP Joel Embiid, drawing praise from head coach Mike Brown.
“Our defensive player of the game was Mitch; he was phenomenal,” Brown said. “Even on the offensive glass, but he was really good defensively. A couple of 50/50 balls, rebounded the ball really well, a couple of blocks. Big night from Mitch on the defensive side of the ball.”
Historic Rebounding Numbers
While starting center Karl-Anthony Towns leads the league in total rebounds at 11.6 per game, Robinson has been the NBA’s most dominant offensive rebounder, averaging 4.9 offensive boards per game.
His production has reached historic levels. The single-season record for offensive rebounds per 36 minutes belongs to former Nets big man Jayson Williams at 6.8. This season, Robinson is averaging a staggering 9.0 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes.
After two injury-plagued seasons, Robinson has also stayed healthy, appearing in 33 games and starting 13, after playing a combined 48 games over the previous two years.
Small Move, Big Stakes
As New York navigates the noise of blockbuster speculation, a more modest decision — whether to move Yabusele’s contract — could ultimately shape the Knicks’ ability to retain one of their most impactful defensive anchors and preserve flexibility for whatever comes next.