Knicks predicted to cut ties with injury-prone $60 million center via trade | Sporting News

The New York Knicks must make several critical roster decisions as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches.

To the surprise of many Knicks fans, the organization may cut ties with an injury-prone center who hasn’t received a second of NBA action this season.

“As the New York Knicks begin to get more comfortable with their new roster, this is a team that is truly going to take off during the second half of the season,” Sir Charles in Charge’s Michael Saenz wrote Sunday. 

“Assuming they can remain relatively healthy, we haven’t even seen the best that this team has to offer.” 

“One big boost that the Knicks are expected to get at some point in the second half of the season is the return of Mitchell Robinson. For a team that is thin in the frontcourt, the Knicks should welcome Robinson back with open arms once he’s healthy.”

“Because of their lack of depth in the frontcourt, it would be a bit foolish for the team to just automatically trade him once he becomes healthy.”

“Even though there were whispers that the Knicks could go down that path, I believe this team might be better suited to keeping him and taking advantage of his presence in the rotation off the bench.”

“Unless there’s a move out there that would return a couple of rotation pieces, I wouldn’t advise the Knicks to trade Robinson for any type of salary relief.”

After being limited to 31 regular season games last year due to a nagging ankle injury, Robinson was prepared to help the Knicks make a deep postseason run. 

Unfortunately, another lower body setback forced Robinson to miss seven of New York’s 13 playoff clashes.

Despite being a spectator to begin the 2024-25 season, the respectable shot-altering center is working toward an eventual return. 

‘He’s making good steady progress,” Tom Thibodeau told SportsNet New York’s Ben Krimmel Saturday. “He’s gone to more stuff, but nothing with the team yet. So he’s making good, steady progress, and we’re gonna be patient with him.”

Mitchell, who averaged 5.6 points and 8.5 rebounds with the Knicks last season, likely won’t be moved unless the franchise must include him in a trade package for a game-changing asset.

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