Robinson's impact on New York's title run speaks for itself.
The New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time in 53 years.
After finishing the regular season at 53-29 and storming through the postseason at 16-3, everything came together in a five-game Finals win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Jalen Brunson earned Finals MVP, but the Knicks would not have that trophy without the gritty work that Mitchell Robinson brought off the bench.
Now Robinson is an unrestricted free agent, and there is a real chance he walks. That would be a mistake New York cannot afford.
His Playoff Role Was Bigger Than the Box Score
Robinson's postseason numbers will not wow anyone. Across 15 playoff games, he averaged 5.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in just over 14 minutes a night, but those numbers barely scratch the surface.
In the clinching Game 5 against the Spurs, Robinson grabbed 10 rebounds in 20 minutes and delivered a game-sealing offensive rebound after Josh Hart missed a free throw with 25 seconds left.
That possession forced San Antonio to foul and locked up the championship.
He did this while playing through a broken right pinkie finger that needed surgery before the Finals started.
In Game 2, his defense on Victor Wembanyama's final shot helped the Knicks escape with a one-point win.
His rim protection changed games even in limited minutes.
What Kind of Money Could He Get?
Robinson just finished the final season of his four-year, $60 million deal, and reports project his next contract landing around three years and $45 million.
The Lakers, Celtics, and Hornets have all shown interest, so New York could face a fight to keep him.
His free throw shooting was historically bad this postseason at 29.3 percent, and his offensive game remains limited.
But his elite offensive rebounding and rim protection make him a rare find for any contending team that already has its scoring figured out.
The Cap Situation After the Diawara Deal
The Knicks sit roughly $13 million below the second apron, and owner James Dolan has publicly said he will not cross that line.
New York already re-signed Mohamed Diawara on a four-year deal worth just over $10 million at around $2.2 million per year.
Smart move, but it chips into the remaining room.
The Knicks hold Robinson's Bird rights, so they can go over the salary cap to bring him back.
The question is whether the front office will accept the financial hit that comes with pushing close to the apron.
Letting Robinson walk would leave a gap that is hard to fill.
A backup center who protects the rim, crashes the glass at an elite level, and shows up in the biggest moments of a title run is the kind of depth that separates contenders from pretenders.
The core is set for next year, but keeping the glue guys together will decide whether this team defends its crown.
