It’s hard to tell whether the Knicks are approaching the NBA trade deadline as cautious strategists or restless dreamers.
They’ve done well this season, climbing to the third seed in the East, because of a certain chemistry between Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns—two All-Stars who now wear their status-like crowns.
But for all their progress, a central question remains unanswered.
What will happen to Mitchell Robinson, the 26-year-old enigma who’s spent his entire season in recovery from foot surgery?
As we can see, the Knicks have plenty to consider.
And with the February 6 trade deadline quickly approaching, they don’t have much time to figure it out.
What complicates everything is Robinson’s $14 million contract. It’s sitting on their books and feels like a question that demands an answer—one the Knicks can’t avoid for much longer.
- Mitchell Robinson hasn’t played this season because of foot surgery, and his future with the Knicks is uncertain.
- His $14 million contract could help the Knicks trade for players they need or be a gamble if they keep him.
- With the February 6 deadline near, the Knicks must decide if trading Robinson is worth the risk during their strong playoff push.
The Robinson Conundrum
Robinson hasn’t played a single minute this season, but he’s everywhere in trade discussions, both inside and outside Madison Square Garden.
This is a player who, when healthy, defines rim protection and owns the glass like few others in the league.
Over the past three seasons, Robinson averaged more than four offensive rebounds per game—a stat that matters when playoff games often hinge on second-chance points.
He’s the Knicks’ longest-tenured player, trusted by head coach Tom Thibodeau in tight rotations, and one of the few who can single-handedly shift the tide of a game.
But there’s a problem.
Robinson’s foot surgery last spring has kept him out longer than expected, and no one is willing to bet the house on his full recovery.
It doesn’t help that his $14 million salary could open doors for the Knicks to improve their bench or even patch up their shaky defense.
In a world where playoff positioning matters more than nostalgia, Robinson’s sentimental value to the franchise might not be enough to save him from being traded.
What Could the Knicks Get for Robinson?
If the Knicks do decide to move Robinson, the possibilities are exciting yet terrifying.
Imagine a deal with the Washington Wizards, who could send Jonas Valančiūnas to New York in exchange for Robinson and two second-round picks in 2026.
Valančiūnas, a reliable veteran center, might not have Robinson’s upside, but he brings consistency—a rare and valuable trait in a league built on chaos.
For New York, this trade would shave a few million dollars off the payroll, a subtle but important step toward financial flexibility.
Yet, this is not just a Knicks problem.
The Wizards, locked in an endless rebuild, would need to gamble on Robinson’s health.
Their reward?
There is a chance to flip him later for assets if he regains his form.
But Wizards beat writer Josh Robbins argues that Washington might prefer reclaiming its heavily protected first-round pick from New York rather than taking on more second-round picks.
There’s also the wild idea of a three-team trade involving Detroit and Chicago.
Here, the Knicks could snag Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons’ gritty young big man, and veteran wing Torrey Craig.
Detroit, in turn, would receive Zach LaVine, whose scoring could elevate their already-surprising season.
And the Bulls would get Robinson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Simone Fontecchio, plus a smattering of second-round picks to fuel their long-overdue rebuild.
This deal would give the Knicks depth in two critical areas.
Stewart’s versatility as a defender and Craig’s experience as a wing could provide immediate relief for a bench that’s struggled all year.
But the risks are just as apparent.
Stewart is one of Detroit’s most beloved players, and his departure could disrupt the Pistons’ chemistry.
Meanwhile, the Bulls would be betting on Robinson’s recovery to justify trading away LaVine.
If big moves feel like a leap too far, the Knicks could opt for a quieter approach.
For instance, Trading Jericho Sims for Javonte Green would barely ripple the waters.
Sims is young, athletic, and occasionally brilliant on defense, but his offensive limitations make him expendable.
Green, by contrast, is a hard-nosed veteran who’s shot 36% from three over the past four seasons.
He wouldn’t change the Knicks’ destiny, but he could steady the ship when needed.
The All-Star Equation
And what about Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns?
The two stars are central to the Knicks’ resurgence. Both were named starters in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
Brunson, averaging 26 points and 7.3 assists per game, has cemented himself as the team’s clutch performer.
His 55-point outburst earlier this season remains the highest-scoring game by an Eastern Conference guard.
Towns, meanwhile, has brought MVP-level dominance, averaging 25.1 points and 13.9 rebounds.
Together, they’ve become the first Knicks duo since Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe in 1975 to start in the All-Star Game—a testament to the franchise’s revival.
With these two leading the charge, the Knicks have a real shot at a deep playoff run.
But they need reinforcements.
The question is whether those reinforcements come from a Robinson trade or his long-awaited return.
Is Stability More Valuable Than Potential?
Trading Robinson is more of a philosophical decision than a practical one, mainly because it forces the Knicks to decide what matters more—stability or potential, reliability or ambition.
On paper, Robinson is the perfect big man for a playoff team: an elite rebounder, a defensive powerhouse, and a player who understands Thibodeau’s system.
But the Knicks aren’t dealing with the Robinson of the past; they’re dealing with the Robinson of now—a player whose foot surgery raises more questions than answers.
At the same time, the team’s other bigs—Precious Achiuwa, Ariel Hukporti, and Sims—have struggled to fill the void.
Achiuwa averages just 5.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in nearly 19 minutes per game, while Hukporti and Sims have been mostly invisible offensively.
In this context, Robinson’s potential return could feel like a midseason miracle, a moment when everything clicks at just the right time.
Yet miracles are hard to plan for.
And with the February 6 deadline looming, the Knicks might not have the luxury of waiting.
They must decide whether to trade their longest-tenured player, a decision that could define their season—or even their future.
No Easy Answers
This is the Knicks’ reality: a team on the rise, weighed down by the complicated legacy of one player.
Trading Mitchell Robinson might solve some problems, but it could also create new ones.
Keeping him means doubling down on a risk that could either pay off spectacularly or backfire just as dramatically.
For now, all eyes are on Madison Square Garden, where the clock ticks louder with each passing day.
The Knicks have two weeks to decide their future, but the truth is, they might already know the answer.
Only time will tell if they’ve made the right call.