The party might be over for Mitchell Robinson in New York.
Fresh off a championship parade, the Knicks are already bracing for his departure. The veteran center is a hot commodity in free agency. And with rivals circling, the team has a clear backup plan.
According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the crosstown Brooklyn Nets are chasing Robinson hard. “The Stein Line that the Nets have joined the Lakers on the list of expected suitors for Robinson once the marketplace opens.” Losing their longest-tenured player to a rival would be a major blow, forcing the front office to act fast.
Enter Kevon Looney. The three-time champion is officially on their radar as a plug-and-play replacement.
The move hinges on the New Orleans Pelicans, who are expected to decline his team option and make him an unrestricted free agent. Insiders wrote, “Our pal Chris Haynes reported Friday night that New Orleans is expected to decline its $8 million team option for next season on veteran center Kevon Looney, which could establish Looney as a potential replacement for Mitchell Robinson if the title-winning Knicks are unable to re-sign their in-demand backup center.”
The connection is obvious: new Knicks head coach Mike Brown. Brown coached Looney for six seasons during the Warriors’ dynasty, winning multiple titles together. He knows exactly what the veteran brings to the table. While Robinson provides elite rim protection and vertical athleticism, Looney is a master of setting bone-crushing screens, grabbing offensive boards, and playing smart positional defense. He’s a high-IQ winner who does the dirty work required for a championship run.
For the Knicks, the stakes are defending their title without wrecking their salary cap. Robinson was crucial as the backup big, but he could command a contract that pushes New York deep into the luxury tax, especially with the dreaded second apron looming. Looney represents a much cheaper, reliable veteran who already understands Brown’s system inside and out. It’s a smart, safe play to maintain frontcourt depth and keep the championship machine rolling if Robinson ultimately decides to cash in with the Lakers or, even worse, the Nets.
