For the first time in several years, the Boston Celtics will have their full mid-level exception available to sign free agents this summer. The MLE for the 2026-27 season is projected to be right around $15 million -- a notable chunk of change for the Celtics to throw around.
It’s never easy to predict exactly how much each impending free agent will be valued at, but New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson could be available at that price when his contract expires in July.
Celtics fans are likely familiar with Robinson because of how impactful he’s been against their team over the past year or so, specifically in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The former Western Kentucky standout is a dominant force on the glass and legitimately swung matchups with the Cs in New York’s favor.
Robinson averaged 8.8 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game off the Knicks’ bench this season. Nearly half of those boards (4.2) came on the offensive glass, an area where Boston put an emphasis on this past season.
The Celtics ranked fifth in the NBA in second-chance points with 16.9 per game. The seven-footer could help them level up that super power. Not to mention what a stout rim protector Mitch is. He swatted away 1.2 shots per game, and changed plenty more over the course of the season. Robinson, at his peak, is the type of defender that puts opposing teams’ gameplans into a defender.
On top of all of that, the Celtics would rid themselves of having to play against the big man, too.
The risks of signing Mitchell Robinson
Committing significant money to Mitch wouldn’t come without its risks, though. His availability is a significant question mark.Â
The eighth-year center has battled his fair share of injuries during his time in New York. He appeared in 60 games for New York this season, after suiting up a combined 48 times across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns.Â
Robinson’s durability could see a decline as the 27-year-old continues to age.
His offensive game leaves much to be desired, too. The lionshare of Robinson’s points come at the rim off of alley-oops or putback dunks and layups. He has potential as a low-usage vertical spacer next to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but Boston shouldn’t expect much offensive creativity from Mitch.
Then, there’s always the wrinkle regarding whether or not the Knicks would try to retain him. It’s clear that he’s a legitimately game-changing player for them when he’s healthy. Unfortunately for them, they’ve got so much money tied to Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby that keeping Robinson may not be worth it.
We all saw how lethal the CBA’s apron penalties are last summer, when the Celtics had to trade away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to avoid the second-apron threshold.
Heading into the summer, New York is projected to be just over $16 million below that line, but they’ll only have nine players rostered when the new league year starts. Paying Robinson may not be part of their equation to fill six spots with less than $16 million.
If it’s not, then Boston would at least have to consider bringing him in.
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