Although Mitchell Robinson played a pivotal role in the New York Knicks’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals last month, a new report indicates the team considered replacing him with Deandre Ayton during this offseason.
Robinson has long been praised for his solid rim protection and exceptional offensive rebound skills; some argue he’s the best in that category across the NBA. However, his injury history has been a concern. In his seven years with the Knicks, he’s managed to play 60 or more games in only three seasons.
Given that inconsistency, it’s not surprising that the Knicks have explored alternatives at the center position in recent years. Even after his impactful playoff performance, it appears the team hasn’t fully committed to Robinson as their long-term option. According to recent reports, the front office had their eyes on one of the top names in this summer’s free-agent market.
“The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Denver Nuggets were all interested in [Deandre] Ayton before he signed with the Lakers,” reported ESPN’s Shams Charania earlier this week.
The former Suns and Blazers center was bought out by Portland just days ago, securing a $25.6 million payout. That move gave Ayton the flexibility to accept a more team-friendly contract with a contender. It’s part of the reason several playoff teams, despite limited cap space, considered using their veteran exceptions to acquire him. In the end, Ayton opted to join the Lakers shortly after entering the free-agent market.
Aside from Indiana’s Myles Turner, Ayton was arguably the most appealing big man available this summer. A short-term deal would have been a significant win for New York. While he doesn’t dominate the offensive glass like Robinson, Ayton offers more polished scoring and consistently strong rebounding. Over seven seasons, he’s averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Trade speculation surrounding Robinson has only intensified since the Knicks’ playoff exit. Whether the interest in Ayton signals a potential shift at the five remains to be seen.
