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Knicks Target Mitchell Robinson Re-sign, Cap Crunch Looms

6/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Knicks will try to retain center Mitchell Robinson after their 4-1 NBA Finals win.
Robinson played 60 games, averaging 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks, and is very open to staying.
Owner James Dolan said re-signing Robinson and Danilo Šametic could push the team over the salary-cap apron, where it sits $13.2 million below.
Analysts note cheaper center options such as Marvin Bagley III (under $10 million) or Andre Drummond.

History

Historical Context

During the 1999 NBA lockout, owners and commissioner David Stern agreed to a soft salary cap of about $57.3 million and a luxury-tax threshold, ending a 204-day work stoppage. The new system forced teams to manage payrolls, a lesson echoed by the New York Knicks, whose 2005-06 roster cost $124 million—$74.5 million over the cap—prompting today’s apron-related decisions.

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Story summary

The Knicks will try to retain center Mitchell Robinson after their 4-1 NBA Finals win.
Robinson played 60 games, averaging 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks, and is very open to staying.
Owner James Dolan said re-signing Robinson and Danilo Šametic could push the team over the salary-cap apron, where it sits $13.2 million below.
Analysts note cheaper center options such as Marvin Bagley III (under $10 million) or Andre Drummond.

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