Knicks' latest messaging signals Celtics could poach Mitchell Robinson

A day before the New York Knicks paraded down the canyon of heroes, celebrating the end of a 53-year championship drought, owner James Dolan was looking ahead. His declaration? The franchise's future planning will not include going over the second apron.

"There's certain things in the NBA that you'd have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron. Cannot go into the second apron," said Dolan on The Carton Show on WFAN. "I'll write as big of a check as possible, but I can't write a check that goes into the second apron."

It's possible that his future actions and this message don't align, and that New York ends up exceeding the second apron at some point. However, if he holds firm on that, it signals the end of Mitchell Robinson's time with the Knicks.

If that's the case, then the Boston Celtics should pounce.

Mitchell Robinson is a top free-agent target for the Celtics

As it stands, the NBA's reigning champions are $16.5 million from the second apron. Re-signing their bruising center alone could take them over that threshold.

The Celtics could swoop in, utilizing their $27.7 million traded player exception [TPE] to facilitate a deal for Robinson. They can't use it to sign him, and the Knicks may have no interest in sending him to Boston. However, if the options are losing him for nothing or getting an asset back, perhaps they could be persuaded.

As previously explored, the Celtics need to find a center to form a potent 1-2 punch with Neemias Queta. If he's too expensive for New York to retain, then Robinson is among the top realistic potential options.

Brad Stevens wants Boston to put more pressure on the rim. The seven-foot center's combination of size and athleticism makes him an ideal lob threat.

He'd also help with generating extra possessions. The eighth-year veteran grabbed 4.2 offensive rebounds per game in under 20 minutes of playing time this season. The 4.6 defensive rebounds he came down with could help spark transition opportunities. So could the 1.2 blocks he averaged nightly.

The 28-year-old from Pensacola, Florida, would bring welcome doses of size, physicality, and athleticism to the five spot on the Celtics' depth chart.

During the NBA Finals, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and Charlotte Hornets are the teams he has heard are most commonly connected to Robinson. However, if he's exiting New York, from contractual and trade standpoints, he's likely worth what it would cost Boston to pry him from the Knicks.

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