Knicks rumors: Insider names 2 possible Mitchell Robinson free agency replacements

The New York Knicks are expected to make multiple major roster decisions this offseason as they attempt to manage cap space and avoid second-apron penalties. One of the players who have been consistently linked with a move in free agency is Mitchell Robinson, who played through injury in the postseason and was vital against Victor Wembanyama in the NBA Finals.

And well, while the Knicks hope Ariel Hukporti manages to grows in stature over the coming time, two names have already come up as far as Robinson replacements are concerned, per ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, in the form of Nick Richards and Kevon Looney. Richards is managed by Max Saidman of CAA, the same agent who works with Jose Alvarado and has a great working relationship with Leon Rose and the Knicks front office.

Further, he is only expected to attract minimum contract offers in the offseason and can therefore be a straightforward acquisition for the NBA champions. The New Orleans Pelicans, on the other hand, have a $8 million team option for Looney that they must decide on before free agency.

The player also has a great relationship with Mike Brown which dates back to their Golden State Warriors days, with the Knicks having previously maintained an interest in signing him. Of course, Robinson had himself recently claimed that he will be open to negotiating a return to New York, per Yahoo Sports.

However, if the front office aims to avoid second-apron penalties, that becomes immediately difficult. The Knicks currently sit roughly $14 million below the second apron while still needing to fill at least three roster spots after Jose Alvarado declined his $4.5 million player option before agreeing to a new three-year contract worth more than $14 million.

Unless New York fills the remainder of its roster exclusively with minimum contracts, retaining Robinson would make staying below the second apron effectively impossible. Robinson has also generated interest from multiple teams, which means the most obvious solution for the Knicks might simply be to sign an affordable replacement.

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