New York Knicks trade rumor: Mitchell Robinson trade unlikely until Isaiah Hartenstein free agency decision | Sporting News

The New York Knicks seem unlikely to break up their strong center rotation on a whim.

On Friday, Yahoo’s Jake Fischer reported that the Knicks have had trade discussions around center Mitchell Robinson.

The 26-year-old Robinson began last season as the Knicks starting center and had a dominant start to the season controlling the paint and glass. However, he had to undergo ankle surgery in December and missed much of the second half of the season. Isaiah Hartenstein filled in as the starter and had a breakout year, setting himself up for a massive payday in free agency.

Fischer reports that Hartenstein, at the moment, is largely expected to re-sign with the Knicks.

The Knicks would have one of the best center rotations in the NBA if they kept both Hartenstein and Robinson. Though Hartenstein arguably elevated the Knicks’ starting lineup with Robinson out, Robinson reminded the NBA of his impact during the Knicks’ first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers with his defense on Joel Embiid.

According to The Athletic’s Fred Katz, the Knicks would be unlikely to trade Robinson without first securing Hartenstein’s new contract. Even then, those trade talks may have just been exploratory.

“I don’t think [the Knicks] would do anything with Mitch until they know for 100% certain that Hartenstein is coming back,” Katz said on his podcast “Katz and Shoot.”

“If they’re 98% certain Hartenstein is coming back, I don’t expect something with Mitchell Robinson because I don’t think they’re going to take that risk and end up with no centers at all.”

Katz said he doesn’t view a Robinson deal as “inevitable,” noting that Robinson has played well when healthy and is on a team-friendly, descending contract that pays him $27 million over the next two seasons.

However, Katz did note that he believes the Knicks are concerned with Robinson’s injury history and the frequency with which he misses games. Over the last four seasons, Robinson has played just 60% of the Knicks games. He’s played only 31 games twice in those four seasons.

Though Robinson has been highly effective as a rim-running center who alters shots and dominates the offensive rebounds, the Knicks could explore looking for a center who can spread the floor. Under Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks have virtually never played five-out lineups because they haven’t had centers who can shoot (and Thibodeau doesn’t play small often). If the Knicks could swap out Robinson for a floor-spreading big, it could open up different styles of play and lineup options.

NBA teams have exploratory talks on virtually every player. The Knicks might be gauging the market for Robinson, but a deal doesn’t sound certain.