Mitchell Robinson free agency contract Knicks salary cap
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Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks reacts against Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons during the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena on February 06, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.
The New York Knicks are in a tight spot as it relates to their salary cap for next season, and keeping some of their most impactful players set to become free agents this summer, specifically Mitchell Robinson.
The Knicks were already hard-pressed to try to re-sign Robinson as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but according to the new salary cap projections for next year, that might be even harder.
“The NBA has informed teams that the league is projecting a $165 million salary cap for 2026-27 — $1M lower than previous outlooks due to a reduction in local media revenue, sources tell ESPN,” Shams Charania wrote in a post on X, announcing the news. “Minimum salary $149M, tax level $201M, first apron $209M, second apron $222M also $1M lower each.”
Shams Charania
The NBA has informed teams that the league is projecting a $165 million salary cap for 2026-27 — $1M lower than previous outlooks due to a reduction in local media revenue, sources tell ESPN. Minimum salary $149M, tax level $201M, first apron $209M, second apron $222M also $1M
New York is expected to be near the second-apron of the salary cap next year, with just nine players under contract. Robinson’s impending free agency remains a massive question, and the idea of the Knicks keeping him only feels less likely as time goes on.
Knicks Get Bad Mitchell Robinson Free Agency News Amid Salary Cap Projections
The though of Robinson leaving as a free agent isn’t a new one, as while he has seen success in his first seven and a half seasons in New York, it’s come with some turmoil.
Now that he’s in the last year of his current contract, Robinson has confirmed that he’s one of the top rebounding centers in the NBA, and will likely be paid a handsome amount by any team looking to add his services.
Fullcourtpass
Mitchell Robinson did NOT have contract discussions with the Knicks this summer, per @IanBegley
“The most likely path here is Mitchell Robinson hitting free agency and then seeing what the market is like.”
(h/t @AmicoHoops)
With what the Knicks already have tied up in their salary cap, and the money that they’ll owe Jalen Brunson in the near future, the thought of keeping Robinson, who will likely have many suitors this summer, doesn’t feel like it will become a reality.
“After factoring in the adjusted projections, New York is now an estimated $16.6 million below the 2026-27 second apron. Here’s the thing: That breathing room only accounts for nine contracts. It does not include the team’s 2026 draft pick(s), or a new contract for Mitchell Robinson,” Dan Favale wrote for DailyKnicks.com.
Robinson is making just $13 million this season, and while averaging 5.4 points and 8.9 rebounds on 71.4% shooting in just 19.5 minutes per game, as one of the most efficient rebounders the league has ever seen, he’s in line for a pay raise that the Knicks can’t match.
“It also doesn’t bake in deals for Landry Shamet and Mohamed Diawara, both of whom have earned themselves raises off their minimum salaries,” Favale added. “If the Knicks wind up keeping them, Robinson, and signing their first-round pick for under $17 million combined, expect them to join the Los Angeles Clippers in being investigated for alleged salary-cap circumvention.”
Knicks Free Agent Targets
Knicks free agent targets
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 17: Guard Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks looks on from the bench during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on March 17, 2026 in New York City. The Knicks won 136-110.
Despite the Knicks’ cap space being an issue that will likely only get worse as time goes on, and based on the new cap projections, that doesn’t mean they can’t add talent this offseason.
A trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo is likely their top option, and while he could be on the table based on recent reporting and trade rumors, adding through free agency is likely the best move for New York.
However, with the projected cap space restrictions they’ll face, the Knicks will target players on small contracts that, like Jose Alvarado and Shamet this season, could well outperform what they are getting paid.
Writing for Bleacher Report, Zach Buckley, who also predicted New York to lose Robinson, tabbed both Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bones Hyland as potential free agent targets.
“If New York can’t afford to keep Landry Shamet, Hardaway could be a cost-effective replacement. He has long been able to pile up threes in bunches, and he has never shot them more efficiently,” he wrote on the Denver Nuggets wing.
“The Knicks could poke around for cheap ball-handlers, and they might see Hyland as capable of giving them a lot of what they hoped they’d be getting from Jordan Clarkson.”
But with the chances rising that the Knicks will lose Robinson in free agency, they’ll also likely target another backup center that would come in on a team-friendly deal.