New York Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson recently spoke with Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. Among the topics covered in their exclusive interview was former teammate Mitchell Robinson joining the Boston Celtics.
Brunson's former teammate signed with the other side of one of sports' most intense geographical rivalries for three years and $47.4 million.
As much as he must have hated to see it happen, the 2025-26 NBA Finals MVP understands that it's a business. He's happy for his friend to cash in, even though he probably won't love seeing him in green.
"Obviously, playing for a rival, and I know people want every team to hate each other," said Brunson. "But there are some people you really care for, and that's my guy. I'm happy for him. And now, whenever we play him -- four times a year -- he's not my friend that day."
The Knicks' loss is the Celtics' gain
Mitchell Robinson was Boston's most significant offseason signing. He will have a massive impact at the rim on both ends of the floor.
The seven-foot center is coming off a campaign in which he blocked 1.2 shots per game in under 20 minutes of playing time. At the other end of the floor, his blend of size and athleticism makes him a dream lob threat for those throwing him alley-oops.
Jalen Brunson finds Mitchell Robinson for back to back alley-oop dunks pic.twitter.com/5QWTEhuWwE
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 4, 2026
The eight-year veteran is also one of the most impactful players on the offensive glass. His metrics suggest that's actually underselling it.
Celtics land their Center. Among the 175 players who have played 10k minutes since Robinson was drafted, no one has snagged more offensive rebounds on a per-minute basis https://t.co/5FjliakEAK pic.twitter.com/y6l0rra3HS
— ALL NBA Podcast (@ALLCITY_NBA) July 1, 2026
Robinson takes one of the Celtics' strengths, generating extra possessions, and multiplies it. That will help them fight for a top-three seed in a far more competitive Eastern Conference.
His punishing screens will also create clean looks from beyond the arc for his new teammates. That will further empower a group that is far from bashful about launching shots from three-point range. More often than not, because of the mathematics driving that approach and the caliber of those taking the shot, it will work out in their favor.
The initial plan is for Robinson to come off the bench behind the incumbent starter, Neemias Queta. However, his arrival gives Boston the potent 1-2 punch it needed at center. They can have a lethal lob threat and rim protector patrolling the pivot throughout the course of a contest.
Robinson's addition is just one of the reasons to be bullish on what this season might look like for the Celtics.
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