Karl-Anthony Towns finds it weird that Mitchell Robinson will be playing for the Celtics image
Feb 20, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts to a play against the Chicago Bulls during the overtime at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks are ecstatic that they got to win the NBA championship in June. Since then, they have been on cloud nine, but reality is settling in about how this team won't be the same ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Knicks lost both Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti in free agency after the title win. Since those were both big man backups for Towns, they quickly signed Andre Drummond in free agency to serve as the primary backup to Towns.
Karl-Anthony Towns knows it will be weird playing against Mitchell Robinson
While Hukporti and Drummond basically swapped places on the Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers, it seems Robinson's move was the most surprising one. He signed with the Boston Celtics, a team that has desperately needed a center for a while, so he will be the starter over there.
Robinson was impressive in his role as the backup to Towns, but for a long time, he was the starter in New York. Now, he will get another opportunity to be a starter for a team that has championship aspirations as well, especially with Jayson Tatum as the star player.
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Since they have been matched up with each other all the time in practice, Towns and Robinson built a close friendship. Unfortunately, they will have to play against each other again, but this time, they are on different teams, which will feel a bit awkward and weird for either player.
"I don’t even know if I could look at Mitch with a Celtics jersey on after everything, so I’ll just have to start laughing at Mitch when we see each other. He owes me a pickup truck," Towns said on The New York Times' The Interview about playing against Robinson.
Despite it being an awkward sight for both the players and the fans, it seems Robinson has joined a team where he would be appreciated. It is a melancholy end to a lengthy Knicks tenure, but it seems he parted ways while building strong relationships with his now-former teammates.
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