Mitchell Robinson has spent his entire NBA career in New York. That might change this summer, and the Sacramento Kings are reportedly the team to watch.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported that the Kings are likely to pursue Robinson when he hits free agency, a connection that makes a lot of sense once you look at the front office. Kings general manager Scott Perry used to hold the same position with the Knicks, and Perry was the executive responsible for drafting Robinson to New York in 2018.
That kind of history matters. Front offices remember the players they drafted, especially the ones who turned into starters and contributors. Perry knows exactly what Robinson is, what he can be, and what kind of teammate he is in a locker room.
Robinson is still only 28 years old. He is the longest-tenured player on the Knicks roster. He has been with the franchise for eight seasons. That history with one team is rare in the modern NBA, and walking away from it would not be a casual decision.
The case for staying in New York is obvious. The Knicks are a contender. Robinson has carved out a role he is comfortable in. He averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game during the 2025-26 regular season in a primarily second-unit role. He stayed healthy, which has been a problem in past seasons.
The playoffs have been even better. Robinson is shooting 76.9 percent from the field in the postseason, which leads all players. He has averaged 5.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in just 14.4 minutes per game. The efficiency is absurd. The impact in limited minutes is real.
The case for Sacramento is about role and money. The Kings finished 22-60 this season. They were one of the worst teams in the NBA. Their frontcourt rotation of Domantas Sabonis, Maxime Raynaud, and impending free agent Precious Achiuwa needs a defensive anchor. Robinson would walk in and immediately be the starting center on a team that needs everything he provides.
The money matters too. The Kings have cap flexibility. The Knicks are deep into the luxury tax with a championship-caliber roster. Sacramento can outbid New York without breaking a sweat, especially if Robinson wants to test what the open market thinks he is worth.
Here is the wrinkle. Robinson has been a part of something in New York. The Knicks are winning. The Kings are in the lottery. Money is great. Winning matters more for a player who has put in eight years building something.
The smart money says Robinson re-signs with the Knicks at a number that keeps everyone happy. The interesting money says the Kings come in with a Brinks truck and a familiar face in the front office and convince him to take a leadership role on a rebuild.
Either way, this is one of the more compelling free agency storylines headed into the summer. The Knicks cannot afford to lose him without a plan B. The Kings cannot afford to keep losing without making moves.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
