New York Knicks trade buzz: $60,000,000 big man "doesn't care" about getting traded

The New York Knicks are firmly in the third spot in the NBA Eastern Conference following their 143-120 win over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Jalen Brunson and Co. improved their record to 30-16 to creep to within two games of the Boston Celtics (32-14) in the standings. Still, the Knicks are staples in trade rumors because of their depth issues.

On Saturday, a fan told Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks backup center, that he would be traded soon. The 7-foot big man responded:

“I do not care at all, to be honest”

Mitchell Robinson, who signed a four-year, $60 million contract in 2022, hasn't played this season yet after an offseason ankle injury.

Many see his return or trade as the biggest solution to the New York Knicks’ lack of depth. Robinson would anchor the frontline when Karl-Anthony Towns gets a breather. When healthy, he has proven his worth on both ends of the floor under Tom Thibodeau’s system.

The Knicks badly need bench support, making Robinson’s return or trade critical. In the win against the Kings, the starters outscored the entire Sacramento team 123-120. Per Statmuse, the Knicks’ bench averages 20.6 points per game this season, the worst in the NBA by a considerable margin.

The New York Knicks are doing well, but the regular season is barely past the halfway point. Tom Thibodeau could run his team to the ground before the playoffs.

Mikal Bridges leads the NBA in minutes per game with 38.5. Josh Hart is third with 37.8 MPG, while OG Anunoby is sixth with 36.7 MPG. Jalen Brunson (35.4 MPG) and Karl-Anthony Towns (34.7 MPG) are in the top 30.

Mitchell Robinson might not care, but the Knicks need him to return or send him elsewhere for reinforcements.

---

Mitchell Robinson can bolster the New York Knicks defense and rebounding

This season, the New York Knicks’ 113.0 defensive rating makes them a middle-of-the-pack unit on defense. When Mitchell Robinson played 58 games last season, the Knicks were ninth in that category.

Rebounding is another department that regressed compared to last season when the Knicks averaged 45.2 rebounds per game, fifth best in the NBA. With Robinson out, they have dropped to 21st with a 43.4 RPG average.

Karl-Anthony Towns is second in the NBA in rebounding with 13.9 RPG. If the Knicks don’t trade Robinson, their rebounding and defensive rating should improve.