Celtics Eye Mitchell Robinson, Keep Pick No. 27 on Radar
SLUG: celtics-center-search-draft-trade-exception
CONTENT:
The Boston Celtics are monitoring New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson as a possible offseason target, according to reporting from MassLive’s Brian Robb.
Robb wrote in a mailbag column that Knicks owner James Dolan’s reported hesitation to push payroll into the second apron could leave Robinson—an unrestricted free agent this summer—within Boston’s reach. The Celtics could offer their non-taxpayer mid-level exception, projected to start at a little more than $15 million on a four-year deal. Using that exception would hard-cap Boston at the first apron, roughly $209 million for 2026-27, but it would give head coach Joe Mazzulla a center rotation of Robinson and incumbent starter Neemias Queta.
Several teams are expected to pursue Robinson, yet the Celtics can pitch an immediate championship window. The 26-year-old struggled in the Finals while playing with a broken hand, but he has ranked among the league’s top offensive rebounders and shot blockers throughout his career—two skills Boston hopes to bolster.
Draft Plans
Robb added that Boston is inclined to keep its No. 27 pick in the first round unless it becomes necessary sweetener in a veteran trade. The front office has recently mined late-round success, grabbing Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez in each of the past two drafts. Potential directions include adding another front-court player to compete with Amari Williams or selecting a ball-handler for backcourt depth. The club could look to flip pick No. 40 for future second-rounders.
In a subscriber-only story, MassLive’s Souichi Terada highlighted wings who may interest Boston with either selection, mentioning Alex Karaban of UConn among the options.
Trade-Exception Shopping List
The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn outlined five names who could fit into the Celtics’ $27.7 million trade exception, the league’s second-largest. His list includes a sign-and-trade for Anfernee Simons via Chicago, as well as potential pursuits of Fred VanVleet (Houston), Trey Murphy III (New Orleans), Malik Monk (Sacramento) and Cameron Johnson (Denver).
The Celtics entered the summer with roster flexibility, multiple draft assets and one of the NBA’s most valuable trade exceptions, giving president of basketball operations Brad Stevens several paths to reinforce a team that already owns two of the past three championships.
Source: HoopsRumors
