Knicks weigh Mitchell Robinson extension while Mike Brown reshapes roster roles
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The New York Knicks solved several offseason priorities—securing a long-term deal for Mikal Bridges, hiring head coach Mike Brown, and signing Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson—but center Mitchell Robinson’s looming free agency remains unresolved.
In a mailbag for The Athletic, reporter James Edwards III wrote that the Knicks prefer a “team-friendly” extension for Robinson. The 26-year-old has anchored New York’s defense in consecutive playoff runs but has appeared in only 48 regular-season games over the past two years because of injuries. If Robinson stays healthy through the season’s first half, Edwards noted, the front office could explore a trade rather than risk losing him without compensation next summer.
Brown’s arrival is expected to add structure and pace, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. A key focus is star guard Jalen Brunson, who held the ball longer than any NBA player last season at 6.06 seconds per touch. By comparison, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton averaged 3.65 seconds. Encouraging Brunson to make quicker reads—particularly to locate Karl-Anthony Towns on the perimeter—could introduce more unpredictability to the offense.
Bondy also reported that guard Miles McBride may assume greater defensive responsibilities. With Bridges struggling to contain elite ball-handlers last season, McBride could take those matchups, allowing Bridges to shift into a tertiary defensive role and keeping Brunson from difficult assignments. Former coach Tom Thibodeau seldom paired McBride with Brunson because of size concerns, but Brown is believed to be more open to the combination.
Thibodeau’s dismissal continues to raise eyebrows around the league. During an appearance on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast, Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said the firing “just doesn’t make sense” after the Knicks reached their first conference finals in 25 years. Lue added that Brown now inherits “a tough spot.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
