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No team leaned harder into the “hack-a-Mitch” strategy to get Mitchell Robinson off the court last season than Joe Mazzulla’s Boston Celtics. Robinson always brushed the strategy off, such as during the NBA Finals when the Spurs used it, and he said it was because they saw him as a “threat.” He said repeatedly that the strategy was a sign of respect from opponents trying to get him off the court.
Boston respected him enough to sign him away from the Knicks.
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In a move that is a gut-punch to still-celebrating Knicks fans, Robinson has agreed to join the rival Boston Celtics on a three-year, $47.4 million deal to join the Boston Celtics, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. Boston is bringing the veteran center in using the mid-level exception, which will start at $15 million next season.
While New York talked about wanting to bring him and the entire championship roster back, it had become increasingly clear it was not going to be possible to do that and stay below the second apron of the luxury tax — and that was a line in the sand owner James Dolan had drawn publicly. With the Knicks re-signing Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Mohamed Diawara, Robinson could not return without taking a significant pay cut — and he had earned a raise with his play last season.
Look for New York to lean into a cheaper, veteran center to add to the roster, with one league source telling NBC Sports to look for them to sign Kevon Looney.
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Robinson brings toughness and athleticism that the Boston frontcourt needed — in the playoffs, once Joel Embiid entered the mix, the 76ers pushed the Boston front line around with little resistance. It’s why Boston fell in the first round, and Robinson helps answer that question (and if Mazzulla starts him, it’s harder to do the hack-a-Mitch strategy because the team isn’t in the bonus).
Boston’s bet is on Robinson staying healthy. Last season with the Knicks, Robinson was largely (and relatively) healthy, playing in 60 games but averaging just under 20 minutes a night. He had played in just 48 games total across the previous two seasons, as chronic ankle issues and other…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mitchell-robinson-leaves-york-rival-182750320.html
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Publish date : 2026-07-01 18:27:00
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