The New York Knicks are one win away from their first NBA Finals berth in decades, and at the center of a contentious offseason calculation is a 7-foot shot-blocker who has spent most of his career being undervalued and underused. Mitchell Robinson is a free agent this summer, and the market for him — shaped significantly by the Knicks’ luxury tax situation — will set the tone for how New York builds around Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns for the next half-decade. His ranking among the top free agents this summer reflects how much teams around the league value his unique profile.

Robinson, 27, is one of the most physically imposing rim protectors in the NBA when healthy. He does not score in isolation, does not handle the ball, and rarely faces up from distance — but his interior defense, lob-catching, and offensive rebounding are assets that complement the Knicks’ skill-based, perimeter-heavy offensive system perfectly. In a lineup with Brunson, Towns, and OG Anunoby, Robinson’s job is simple: protect the paint, set screens, and put back misses. He does all three at an elite level.

The complication is money and health. Robinson has missed significant time in multiple seasons, and the Knicks are already operating close to the second apron — a financial threshold that triggers severe roster-building restrictions. Signing Robinson to a multi-year deal starting above $15 million would push New York deeper into tax territory and potentially limit their ability to make in-season trades next season. That is not a trivial concern for a team trying to compete immediately.

Other teams recognize Robinson’s value. A franchise with cap room — particularly one needing interior defense and rim protection — could offer Robinson a deal that the Knicks simply cannot match without compounding their apron problem. The Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets both have spending power and clear needs at center. Either could make Robinson an offer that tests New York’s financial appetite.

Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado, and Landry Shamet round out the Knicks’ notable free-agent class. Clarkson has been a reliable bench scorer in his 12th season. Alvarado, acquired from New Orleans before the deadline, plays far bigger than his 6-foot frame and has already endeared himself to the Madison Square Garden faithful. Shamet, a floor-spacer who has quietly become an important playoff contributor, can re-sign for up to $15 million per New York’s Early Bird rights but faces competition from teams with cap room.

The Knicks must decide which pieces are truly irreplaceable and which ones can be upgraded or replaced with cheaper alternatives. Brunson’s pay cut — which he took voluntarily to help the franchise build a championship-caliber roster — created the space that made Towns possible. The organization cannot waste that sacrifice by mismanaging this free-agent class.

Player	2025-26 Salary	Rights	Status
Mitchell Robinson	$13M	Full	UFA
Jordan Clarkson	$3.6M	Non-Bird	UFA
Jose Alvarado	$4.5M (PO)	Full	Decision pending
Landry Shamet	$3.1M	Early Bird	Re-sign up to ~$15M

The Knicks should prioritize re-signing Robinson at a fair number — ideally two years, $28–30 million — and accept the tax implications. Robinson’s rim protection is the defensive complement that prevents the Brunson-Towns-Anunoby lineup from being exposed by physical frontcourts in the playoffs. He is not flashy, but he is the piece that makes New York’s best lineup truly championship-ready. Pay him, manage the apron carefully, and run it back.