The New York Knicks are expected to have a busy season, but part of it involves re-signing Mitchell Robinson or signing his replacement. The 23-year-old was picked by New York in the second round of the 2018 draft and could be a good fit for a new team next year.
Because the Knicks didn't trade him before the February 10 deadline, there's a chance he could walk away this summer and leave New York with nothing in return. It will be a worst-case scenario for the team but it is not out of the question.
Robinson has yet to sign a contract extension, but that option is not off the table (at least until June 30), although the center could ask for more money than the Knicks are willing to pay.
With Julius Randall's recent four-year, $117 million contract extension, the front office has to be careful how the money is spent. Unfortunately, this is the reality of the situation.
I would like to preface this by saying that New York needs to do everything it can to retain Robinson. The center has become an integral part of the team and averages 8.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in the 58 games (including a career-high 49 starts) in which he has played.
Listen to me. Nick Claxton is 22 years old (soon to be 23 in April) and, like Robinson, was drafted in the second round. However, Claxton was picked in 2019 and has spent his first three years in the league with the Nets.
Mitchell Robinson has been a force on the glass for the Knicks. He’s heading for free agency this summer
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) March 5, 2022
Before the trade deadline, Brooklyn attempted to trade Claxton to Toronto, but apparently, he fell through. He is set to become a banned free agent during the off-season.
It's almost certain that the University of Georgia product is going to go off the nets this summer. However, if Nix can't find a way to get to Robinson, he may not have to go very far.
The plus for Claxton is that he'll have to keep his apartment, but the plus for New York is that he'll get a major steal for less money than it would cost to keep Robinson.
Claxton's health has been an issue during his time in Brooklyn and although he has played a total of 30 games this season, he has had the best year ever. He averages 8.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks per game, and is shooting 64.1% off the field.
He sat out for the first 17 matches of the 2021-22 season due to a non-COVID illness, but since the deadline, he has played a total of five games. The Nets did not plan to keep Claxton beyond mid-February, and Steve Nash's reluctance to play him is clearly evident.
Claxton can finish on the rim and block and defend the perimeter but to level up his game, he needs to develop a jump shot. It's clear he can sink, though.
Of the 141 shots Claxton attempted from less than five feet, he made 105 (74.5%) of them. He is 3-of-25 (12%) from shots five to nine feet from the rim and 1-of-4 (25%) from 10-to-14 feet. Beyond that range, Claxton didn't take a single shot. It needs to be changed.
Claxton is at the end of his three-year contract worth $4.2 million and will cost him significantly less than Robinson. Once again, I'm not saying he's a better choice than Robinson, but he wouldn't be a shabby replacement.
😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/vYkbnCzrtv
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 26, 2021
And if Claxton can build up his strength and start hitting shots outside five-foot range, he's going to be a threat.
According to Bleacher Report, Robinson could sign a five-year deal worth up to $55 million. Yet as noted by writer Erin Walsh, it would be in her best interest to mingle with other teams in free agency.
If Knicks fans' nightmares come true and Robinson hints elsewhere, don't sleep on the price Claxton will bring to Madison Square Garden. He could be the next big thing for New York and how wonderful it would be to hang Claxton over Brooklyn's head.