HOUSTON — Mitchell Robinson will be a unique study in NBA free agency. On one hand, he was only averaging 5.4 points before Tuesday’s game against the Rockets. There aren’t many players who got seriously paid with that type of scoring production.
But on the other hand, Robinson is, without much debate anymore, the top offensive rebounder in the NBA. He knows his value. He’s been paying attention to it and recited Tuesday his plus-minus numbers as proof.
“My impact is always incredible,” he said.
Indeed, Robinson, heading into Tuesday, owned the Knicks’ top net rating this season after OG Anunoby. He was No. 1 in the NBA in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes, by a wide margin. He was shooting 72 percent from the field, which included a heavier dose lately off alley-oops from lobs — especially from Jalen Brunson.
Apparently Robinson’s teammates finally listened.
“We talked about it all year [throwing me lobs for alley-oops],” Robinson said. “They finally started to throw it a little bit. That’s great.”
He was flexing that “incredible” impact, as Robinson called it. Perhaps more importantly, he’s largely been healthy. With 58 appearances, he’s already eclipsed the total from the past two seasons combined — when an injured ankle and conditioning problems kept him off the court.
On Tuesday, he played in his 10th straight regular-season game for the first time since 2023.
“I feel awesome,” Robinson, who is headed into unrestricted free agency this summer, said, “ready to go.”
Still, Robinson’s value in the open market isn’t so simple. There’s his health history and poor foul shooting to consider. Last year, only one center in free agency — Myles Turner — got a lot of money, when he completed a sign-and-trade to the Bucks for four years, $109 million. Turner, unlike Robinson, is a shooter. Luke Kornet, a rim-protecting specialist, also got a decent paycheck at four years, $40.7 million.
Center Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks slams the ball during the second half against the Wizards. Jason Szenes / New York Post
In 2024, Nic Claxton (four years, $97 million) and Isaiah Hartenstein (three years, $86 million) enjoyed the biggest paydays among centers. Claxton is probably the best comparison to Robinson but his contract with the Nets is already an overpay.
The Knicks, as constructed, can afford to re-sign Robinson but it would be more expensive than just the contract since they’re projected to operate next season in the second apron, triggering luxury tax penalties.
Back in November — before Robinson proved more durable than anticipated — Bobby Marks, a former NBA executive and ESPN’s front office insider, noted the Knicks would have no assets to replace Robinson if he walks in free agency, perhaps making them more motivated to retain him. On the open market, Marks predicted Robinson would command the $15 million mid-level exception.
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“When you go outside of your own team [to sign as a free agent], it just becomes a lot more challenging,” Marks told The Post. “To try to find an offer for someone who averages 20 minutes a night.”
Despite his health and production, Robinson was still averaging just 19.6 minutes before the Rockets game. But he was typically impactful when on the court. And the longest-tenured Knick is gearing up for his fourth playoffs with the franchise.
Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks and T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers battle for the ball during the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 13, 2026. Getty Images
Then it’s on to free agency.
“It is what it is,” he said. “We’re going to figure that part out when the time comes, brother man.”