Why Mitchell Robinson's impact on Celtics goes deeper than anyone is discussing

The Boston Celtics were active early in Day 2 of NBA free agency. They started by agreeing to a deal with Mike Conley. After landing the veteran point guard, Brad Stevens secured the top center available on the open market.

Mitchell Robinson will join the Celtics on a three-year, $47.4 million contract, per ESPN's Shams Charania. That includes a player option for the final season of this pact. Because it's for the full mid-level exception, Boston is now hard-capped at the first apron. That threshold is $209.1 million.

They are $5.1 million below that figure, with all 15 standard roster spots accounted for. Of course, among their potential future moves is a possible Jaylen Brown trade.

But let's focus on the move they just made for Robinson. What's gaining the most attention in the wake of the news that he's shipping up to Boston is his impact on the offensive glass.

The eight-year veteran's ability to generate extra possessions at an elite rate bolsters one of Boston's biggest strengths offensively. But now, it's time to dive into the less-discussed aspects of what he brings to the table.

Three under-the-radar traits Robinson adds to the Celtics

Let's start on the defensive end of the floor. As an athletic seven-footer, his ability to protect the rim is a known commodity. He averaged 1.2 blocks in under 20 minutes of floor time last season. For his career, he's registering 1.7 rejections per game.

However, Robinson does more than keep a lid on the cylinder. He utilized his length, mobility, and basketball IQ to produce 2.1 deflections per contest, according to NBA.com. In Boston, that would have tied him with Jayson Tatum for the second-most on the team in the 2025-26 campaign. Derrick White led the way in that category with 2.5 deflections per tilt.

The Celtics' new center's ability to play the passing lanes and corral pick-and-roll ball-handlers will go a long way for a team that needs to create more turnovers. They ranked 29th in that category, forcing 12.4 per matchup.

And while they were lethal when they had transition opportunities, averaging the seventh-most points per possession when those chances manifested themselves in the regular season, they produced the third-fewest transition points per game [19.4], according to NBA.com. Robinson's arrival will help to raise that rate.

Now, let's switch to the other side of the ball.

Mitchell Robinson's unheralded offensive impact

As pointed out every time this author highlighted the now-former New York Knicks' center as a top option for Boston to pursue, or tracked reports about where he might wind up, he is an outstanding screener.

Listed at 240 pounds, he brings a welcome dose of size and physicality. Queta's evolution included his growth in this area. And Luka Garza, who has outstanding timing on his picks and when to release, excels here. However, the Celtics now have a bruiser who will pave a pathway for their primary ball handlers. He'll also allow them to step into clean shots.

Beyond that, the 28-year-old from Pensacola, Florida, gives his new team a vertical spacer. In other words, he's a lob threat that the defense must respect.

When Robinson's rolling to the rim, it puts the defense in a bind. They have to tag him, unless it's a situation where they cannot afford to give up a 3. However, if someone's rotating to account for him, that leaves a shooter open. And it's likely from the corner. That's not everyone's best spot from three-point range, of course, but generally speaking, it's the most efficient landmark behind the arc.

Boston's new arrival is not a shooter, and there are concerns about his durability. He's only played in at least 70 games once in his career. However, this was easily a worthwhile move. The Celtics
landed the top free-agent center available, fortifying a position of need. They did so at the expense of a rival that's also the NBA's reigning champion.

And just because Robinson isn't a floor-spacing five doesn't mean he isn't an outstanding fit in his new team's offense. He will make them even better on the margins, help produce more points in transition, and help with Brad Stevens' mission to build a roster that will make a greater impact at the rim.

With his screening, he'll also help address the franchise's president of basketball operations' desire to see his club have an easier time creating quality shots in the postseason on their first attempt.

Getting Robinson's a really good pickup for the Celtics, and it weakens the Knicks. Both elements of that are worth celebrating if you're a fan of the former -- and they are. The same goes for these less talked-about aspects of what he'll bring to the table in Boston.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow