[ad_1]
A New York Knicks insider has supplied a huge update on a potential contract extension for a valued Knicks big man.
New York finds itself with a massive shot at glory ahead of it in 2025-26.
Achilles tendon ruptures to three then-Eastern Conference All-Stars have cracked open a championship window for recent perpetual also-rans like the Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Both star-studded squads have finished with impressive records and won playoff series in recent seasons, but neither has broken through to an NBA Finals berth with its current core.
More news: NBA Insider Provides Ominous Season Prediction for Lakers Superstar LeBron James
That could change in 2026, with Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, and then-Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (now with the Portland Trail Blazers) all sidelined for quite possibly the entire season.
Last season, New York finished with a 51-31 record and made its first East Finals in 25 years. Still, it wasn’t good enough for owner James Dolan, who fired head coach Tom Thibodeau in the summer.
The Knicks brought in two-time Coach of the Year Mike Brown to bring them to the next level. Team president Leon Rose also inked a pair of talented vets, power forward Guerschon Yabusele and guard Jordan Clarkson, to bolster his bench.
Led by All-NBA stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, New York boasts one of the most talented top sixes in the East. All-Defensive forward OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges help man the perimeter, while some question remains about whether Brown should start guard Josh Hart or center Mitchell Robinson — both of whom started at different points during the playoffs — next year.
Getty Images/Sarah Stier
Robinson, 27, is in the final season of a four-year, $60 million contract, and is now eligible for a veteran contract extension with New York.
The 7-footer has been a constant injury risk for most of his career. Since his third pro season, 2020-21, Robinson has missed 40 or more games three separate times.
More news: Do Bulls Already Have Franchise Cornerstone on Roster? Insider Weighs In
Last year, Robinson missed all but 64 bouts while recovering from an ankle surgery. In his 17 healthy regular season contests (three starts), Robinson averaged 5.1 points on 66.1 percent shooting from the floor and 68.4 percent shooting from the free throw line, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 0.9 steals and 0.8 assists in 17.1 minutes per.
But he was a critical contributor during the playoffs, his mobility and rim protection helped shore up the club’s big man defense while Towns handled most of the offense.
James L. Edwards III of The Athletic opines that, warts and all, Robinson is a keeper for a Knicks team hoping to contend.
“The oft-injured big man was one of the most dominant players in the postseason, and he’s currently eligible for an extension,” writes Edwards. “The version of Robinson we most recently watched is an All-Defense candidate. He would be in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year.”
More news: Clippers Star Exits EuroBasket Game with Concerning Injury
In fairness, you need to play for a few more than 17 games to earn that kind of hardware.
“What team wouldn’t hold onto a player like that? Well, the Knicks know Robinson better than anyone, and he’s been unable to stay on the court due to various injuries. I’ve gotten the sense that New York would be willing to sign Robinson to a team-friendly extension that covers them in the event he continues to get hurt,” writes Edwards. “On the flip side, I’m sure Robinson points to his performances in the postseason and believes he can get one more nice deal from the Knicks or someone else if he’s able to stay healthy in a contract year.”
For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
[ad_2]
