By: Schonn Elcock
The New York (NY) Knicks tactically strung together one of the greatest playoff runs in NBA history, leading to New York’s first NBA championship in 53 years. Knicks President Leon Rose built the team’s core through years of planning and strategic trades, so any Knicks fan would assume that Rose would bring back key members of that run. However, two crucial parts of this story have led to a rather lackluster offseason for the Knicks: Center Mitchell Robinson and Knicks owner James Dolan.
Although re-signing key pieces like Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet, and Andre Drummond were good damage control, I can’t offer them a higher grade than a B- due to how easily they could have gotten an A.
Robinson just came off another dominant rebounding and defensive season. Averaging 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks with a staggering 4.2 of his rebounds being offensive rebounds. Robinson offered New York well-needed second-chance opportunities and diverse defensive looks.
At the time, Robinson was the longest-tenured Knick, being drafted to New York as the 36th overall pick in 2018. He developed as an athlete and honed his offensive rebounding skill under the Knicks development staff; keeping him was, for the most part, an absolute must.
Being the backup center for the Knicks, Robinson added a layer of well needed defense and aggressive rebounding, in both the offensive and defensive end. With Robinson on the court, Karl-Anthony Towns’s offensive skillset was unlocked.
However, with Robinson playing that well consistently and a new eligible player, or free agent, coming into this season, his presence demanded the same level of compensation.
Entering this season, the only way the Knicks could have re-signed him was if they went over a threshold considered the second apron.
Think of this as a money barrier. Given the players on the team, each of their salaries summed up must be under a certain number. Otherwise, the Knicks suffer various forms of consequences like losing draft capital.
Here lies James Dolan’s issue.
According to ESPN, Dolan said on WFAN radio in New York, “I cannot go into the second apron. I’ll write as big of a check as possible, but I can’t write a check that goes into the second apron.” Although the concern is legitimate, I believe the short-term grievances don’t compare to the long-term stability of the team.
For defending champions like the New York Knicks, these sorts of moves are what define generational runs, especially if there was an effort to negotiate the team’s salary cap under the second apron before the start of the 2027-28. In losing a younger and more athletic center like Robinson, New York immediately suffers from a lack of depth, defensive pressure, and rebounding.