The 2025 NBA Trade Deadline will go down as one of the craziest transaction periods in league history. Several stars were moved in stunning fashion as well as tons of role players who found new homes. Fans will remember this deadline for the shocking Luka Dončić trade to LA for Anthony Davis, De’Aaron Fox joining Victor Wembanyama on the Spurs, or Jimmy Butler becoming Stephen Curry‘s newest running mate. Other teams made smaller, yet important deals on the margins to improve their rosters or get under the luxury tax.
One of the few franchises that essentially stood pat was the New York Knicks. Although fans wanted to upgrade the squad, Leon Rose chose to ride it out with this group. This decision was made in part because of the return of Mitchell Robinson.
Knicks Quiet Trade Deadline is a Bet on Mitchell Robinson
A line often used by NBA executives to justify quiet trade deadlines is, “Our acquisition is injured player X.” Many times, it can be frustrating for fans to hear that, especially when said player is still hurt or injury-prone. However, for the Knicks, getting Mitchell Robinson back into the rotation healthy is one of the best additions in basketball. Robinson is an elite role player who fits exactly what Tom Thibodeau needs as they prepare for the playoffs.
The Knicks starting five was always going to be locked in past the deadline. They have five players on expensive contracts who are all unmovable outside of a star trade. Furthermore, New York is more than comfortable with their lineup, as it’s one of the very best in the sport. So, any trade additions would be for depth purposes. NY has had issues with their bench all season, mostly due to injury, and Thibodeau has addressed that problem with heavy minutes for the starters. This burden clearly affected the team’s energy, especially on the defensive end. When rested from schedule breaks or the recent nine-man rotation, New York’s defense has reached the potential Rose imagined when he crafted this roster.
With that said, fans clamored for the Knicks to acquire a bench wing and backup center. Landry Shamet disappointed at times as a forward coming off injury, and Thibodeau was unwilling to play raw prospect Pacome Dadiet. At center, the Knicks rotated Ariel Hukporti and Jericho Sims (the latter of whom was traded for Delon Wright). Clearly, the team needed both a tenth quality player, but also a defensive-minded forward or center.
Robinson is Just What the Doctor Ordered for NYK
Nothing fits that description better than inserting the seven-footer into the rotation for 20-plus minutes a night. Robinson is a top-tier defensive player and rim protector who’s capable of guarding on the perimeter in switches. He gives New York a true center who can slot Karl-Anthony Towns in his rightful power-forward spot. Towns has struggled all season both at defending the paint and switching onto guards. His slow feet and lack of athleticism are a poor combo for both, and Robinson can plug those gaps with ease. His return allows KAT to do what he does best, guarding bigger players in the post. Think of the Towns/Rudy Gobert pairing and how well it worked out.
Robinson also provides Thibs with the ability to use big lineups regularly. Gone are the days where Precious Achiuwa plays the five for bench groups, as Robinson can now play center for both units. He’s a devastating rebounder on both ends of the floor, and completely changes NY’s outlook. His return is an important step to regaining the hard-nosed Knicks identity of recent years. That identity has been missing all year for New York, causing much of their growing pains.
Knicks Betting on Robinson’s Health
To sum it up, Robinson’s return largely fixes New York’s defense, gives them a true ten-man rotation Thibs trusts, and embodies the culture they want to emulate. However, they are betting he stays healthy for the next four months, which is never guaranteed for #23. When available, he’s one of the most frightening defenders and rebounders on the market. Thibodeau, Rose, and the Knicks are betting everything on him.
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