Jason Burgos
If the New York Knicks lose Mitchell Robinson to a better offer in free agency this summer, a new report offers a rock-solid replacement for the team’s longest-tenured player.
Knicks players and their legion of diehard fans are still basking in the afterglow of a rare achievement for the franchise. For the first time since 1973, New York is the epicenter of the basketball world after their favorite team defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.
The players and coaching staff will be celebrating further in the weeks ahead. However, the front office will soon need to pivot to the offseason and try to improve a roster that brought the city its first championship in 53 years. Part of the plan to repeat in 2026-27 will be to hold on to the few free agents they have. The most notable is their valuable backup center.
During the 2026 playoffs and in the NBA Finals, Robinson showed why his ability to finish around the basket, protect the rim, and rebound at an elite level make him so valuable. Other teams around the league likely noticed, and with the 28-year-old set to be a free agent this summer, he is sure to have many suitors. And one of them could make an offer the Knicks won’t be able to match.
Should NY Knicks target Tobe Awaka in Round 2 to replace Mitchell Robinson?
That is why they must prepare for that possibility, and next week’s NBA Draft offers some strong replacement options. This week, ESPN college basketball expert Jay Bilas spoke with the media about some of the intriguing players in this year’s event, and one in particular should be on New York’s radar.
“His rebounding per minute, especially on the offensive rebounding side, is elite,” Bilas said about Arizona big man Tobe Awaka. “He was the best per-minute rebounder in basketball last year. So, he can get you extra possessions. He’s big and strong. He can hold his own.
“The game is a little bit different now, so the 4 spot, 5 spot, you may be guarding on the perimeter more than you were expected to do years ago. But he’s got value, and I think he’s certainly going to most likely be taken in the second round.”
While the 6-foot-8 isn’t a replica of Robinson, his ability to guard on the perimeter and rebound at a very high level would go a very long way in trying to fill the void left by the center’s potential departure in free agency. He is also a skilled finisher around the rim, and he shot 60% from the field during his four years in the college ranks.
