Veteran Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson has a message for Mitchell Robinson, New York’s longtime defensive anchor who signed with the Boston Celtics in free agency this offseason.

“I hope he does great things in Boston,” Clarkson told reporters at the Knicks’ Tarrytown practice facility on Wednesday. “But when we see him, we’ve gotta whoop his ass. But that’s my dog, man. I love that dude forever.”

Clarkson said he had pre-existing relationships with starters Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart prior to joining New York’s championship roster last summer. He did not, however, have a relationship with Robinson, the longest-tenured Knick from last year’s squad.

“I mean, that was my dog. Every road game, I was next to him, my locker,” said Clarkson. “We would go eat most of the time on the road just to try to continue to talk to him and get to know him. I think that was probably the closest dude to me on the team.”

Robinson and the Knicks failed to reach an agreement on a new contract that kept the team below the second apron this offseason. As a result, he agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the divisional rival Celtics. Robinson’s last contract with the Knicks was worth $60 million over four years. His deal with the Celtics only represented a roughly 5.5% raise.

“I’d already known Josh, OG and Jalen before, but getting to know Mitch last year and becoming close with his family,” Clarkson said. “It’s definitely tough for them, but it’s the business of basketball.”

Robinson, whose eight-year career has been marred by injury, averaged 7.5 points, eight rebounds and 1.7 blocks on 70% shooting from the field since the Knicks selected him 36th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. He is healthy and active ahead of Boston’s preseason opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 8.

CONDOLENCES

Head coach Mike Brown said he called Ariel Hukporti, the former Knicks center who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency after he tore his Achilles in the preseason matchup between the two teams on Monday.

“I talked to him after the game. I gave him a call. It’s tough to see,” said Brown. “He just a great human being and young man and he looked like he was in shape and was going to get an opportunity there. So, it’s tough.”

The Knicks selected Hukporti with the 58th and final pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

EVOLUTION

Mikal Bridges said his goal this year is the same as it is every year.

“I’m just focused on every year trying to be the best player and best teammate I can be to help the team, and our goal every year is to try to be the best team we can be,” he said on Wednesday. “And that’s through the years, I don’t think it’s a one-year thing. I think I just keep evolving and keep trying to be the best player I can be until I retire.”