After the parade but before the White House visit, the New York Knicks may be facing the first loss of next season: Jake Fischer and Marc Stein, reporting for Stein’s Steinline, write Friday that the Brooklyn Nets have “legitimate interest” in New York free agent center Mitchell Robinson.
The Stein Line has learned that the Nets have legitimate interest in trying to sign big man Mitchell Robinson away from the team across the East River that just won its first NBA championship in more than 50 years…
The Nets were overhyped as a potential Reaves suitor, but they appear intent on putting a credible team on the floor next season after unreservedly tanking this past season and winding up with the No. 6 pick in May’s draft lottery.
Trying to sign Robinson away from the Knicks, whose owner James Dolan has been openly fearful of the NBA luxury tax system’s second apron in the wake of his team’s title run, would certainly generate some back-page headlines in Gotham.
Additionally, Fischer and Stein reported that the Lakers could also have interest.
On Thursday night, Stefan Bondy reported that indeed owner James Dolan’s desire to avoid the second apron and heavy sanctions could mean the seven-footer could be available.
Dolan has been public about avoiding the dreaded second apron, which in addition to financial sanctions, would lessen Knicks President Leon Rose’s flexibility.
Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 27 minutes per game during the Knicks championship run. He is a notoriously bad free throw shooter and has had injury issues. He’s missed 138 games in the last three season.
The Nets have ample cap space to sign Robinson outright, with a minimum of $36 million and as much as $50 million depending how they manipulate the cap. Robinson is likely to command a starting salary above the $30 million mark. At 28, Robinson is one of the top offensive rebounders in the game and can supply rim protection, an area where the Nets are in need of help. With the trade of Nic Claxton, the five position has been penciled in as Day’Ron Sharpe’s and while Sharpe is also a top rebounder, he doesn’t provide rim protection that Jordi Fernandez’s defense requires.
