The New York Knicks are heading into the 2025-26 season as one of the favorites to secure the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
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The Knicks fell short last season but appeared in their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. It was a long time coming for the Knicks, but they now have the pieces to take the next step - or so they believe.
The Knicks will enter the season with virtually the same roster, but a different coach at the helm in Mike Brown. Their decision to move on from Tom Thibodeau was a questionable one, and it remains to be seen how things pan out for New York.
While that is the case, there is a chance the Knicks could tweak their roster as the season progresses. What way will they go? According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson could be a prime trade candidate.
"The most fascinating scenario that could present itself during the season is if Robinson doesn't miss time leading up to the trade deadline and is as dominant during the first 35 games of the regular season as he was in the playoffs," Edwards III wrote. "Will the Knicks capitalize on his play and expiring contract and trade him then? Would New York keep him to continue their title chase, not break up the continuity and risk losing him in free agency? There are pros and cons to both in this scenario."
This season, Mitchell will earn $12 million in the final year of his four-year, $60 million deal. Since he's in the final year of his deal, he would be a prime trade candidate at the deadline. He has been around the trading block for some time, but a deal is yet to come to fruition.
Things could head that way this season, especially if the Knicks feel they need an upgrade at the center position or elsewhere, depending on how their season transpires.
Mitchell has had trouble staying on the court for extended periods, and that was the case last season. He only played in 17 games last year as he was recovering from a left ankle stress fracture.
However, Mitchell played in all of the Knicks' 18 playoff games and was impactful, especially on the defensive end. He averaged 7.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks in 20.6 minutes of action.
The 27-year-old is a former second-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and could be of value to another team if the Knicks want to move in a different direction.
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