The New York Knicks did a remarkable job at retaining most of their key talent that entered free agency this past offseason, signing players like guards Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado to team friendly deals, but every notable Knicks returned to New York. 

Center Mitchell Robinson was the most significant departure from the 2026 championship-winning roster in free agency this summer, instead signing with the Boston Celtics on a three-year, $47 million deal.

Robinson's departure from the Knicks seemed like an inevitability after Knicks owner James Dolan firmly declared that the team wouldn't enter the second apron under any circumstance, even if it meant saying goodbye to some key pieces, but that didn't make Robinson's departure any less shocking. 

Up to this point, Robinson had spent his entire career with the Knicks, debuting in 2018, and he had carved out a place for himself as a crucial bench option behind Karl-Antony Towns and a vital presence within the roster both as a defender and as personality in the locker room. 

During the Knicks' 2026 Media Day, Towns remarked on what it felt like to not have Robinson there with the rest of the team.

"I was very surprised that Mitch wasn't going to be back here with us. I think all of us were, so it was a surprise to everybody," Towns said (via SNY). "Thought something would get done there, but like you said, we have Andre. [Drummond]."

Towns was emotional when describing what it felt like to lose Robinson and  added that it "hurt" when he left the team in free agency. What makes the loss sting even more for the Knicks is the fact that Robinson's departure wasn't due to any kind of dispute within the team, but simply financial limitations. 

Not every player is going to be expected to take a salary cut simply to stay with a team, no matter how strong the connection may be within the locker room, and Robinson saw that he could play for his full value elsewhere away from the Knicks' fear of the second apron holding back any kind of contract offer. 

As Towns mentioned, though, the Knicks did sign center Andre Drummond as a replacement for Robinson and in that regard they have received a veteran center who stands out as a prolific paint presence and defender who should slot in perfectly to the role that he has to occupy in Robinson's absence. 

Still, Towns' reaction, even months after Robinson signed with the Celtics, speaks to how deeply connected the Knicks of the past year were and even if there is no love lost between Robinson and his former franchise, it's clear that no one was happy to see him go either.