Will the Knicks Regret Not Re-Signing a 28-Year-Old Center for the 26-27 Season?
After winning the 2026 NBA Championship, the New York Knicks immediately had some decisions to make, as the team did not want to exceed the NBA’s second apron threshold. The price for this? Letting 28-year-old center Mitchell Robinson sign with long-time rival, the Boston Celtics, on a three-year, $47 million deal. Replacing Robinson for the 26-27 season as the backup center is veteran Andre Drummond, who is a terrific replacement due to Drummond’s reputation as one of the best rebounders of this century. However, will there be a point during the upcoming season where the Knicks regret not going over the second apron to re-sign the 28-year-old center?
Throughout his career, Robinson has been a terrific rebounder. Last season, the 2026 NBA Champion center averaged six points, nine rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block in 20 minutes a night, being a crucial backup for starter Karl-Anthony Towns. During New York’s championship run, Robinson averaged about five points, six rebounds, and a block. For his career, the 28-year-old averages eight points, eight rebounds, an assist, a steal, and two blocks. In his 60 games played, he pulled down at least 10 or more rebounds 25 times. On March 13th, during a 101-92 win over the Indiana Pacers, the 2026 NBA Champion center recorded 22 rebounds, which became a new career high.
In Drummond’s two-time all-star career, he’s averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds a game. At 33 years of age, the four-time NBA rebounding leader is the perfect backup for Towns and the best available replacement for Robinson. Throughout the Knicks’ past few NBA Playoffs appearances, it was very clear that the 28-year-old’s free-throw shooting was a weakness in his game. For someone like Drummond, his free throw shooting has improved over time, shooting over 60% the last two seasons.
With one of the best rebounders of this century as your backup, the Knicks should be fine for the 26-27 season; still, they should look for a third stringer to back up Towns and Drummond. However, after the 26-27 season ends, that is when New York may regret not re-signing Robinson. Drummond’s contract is just a one-year deal, so there are still looming questions about who will be the true backup for the Knicks for years to come. The 28-year-old center was a key piece in New York’s 2026 NBA Championship run; the Knicks will have to hope their two-time all-star backup will have the same or even greater effect Robinson had.
