Freshly crowned NBA champion Mitchell Robinson is departing the New York Knicks for their bitter rival, the Boston Celtics. The 28-year-old has agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million deal that includes a player option in the third season, weeks after New York w
Mitchell Robinson walked into the playoffs as New York’s steady presence and walked out of the championship moment as something else entirely—an escape route to the rival sitting across town.
Weeks after the Knicks clinched their first NBA Championship in 53 years by beating the San Antonio Spurs, the 28-year-old is leaving New York for the Boston Celtics. Robinson, who is a free agent, is said to be signing with Boston on a multi-year deal.
The agreement is reported as a three-year, $47.4 million contract with a player option in the third season. Robinson is moving to the Celtics as the Knicks continue to reshape after their historic run. and as the roster’s stability is suddenly tested by a headline-grabbing exit from a player who had been there through the long wait.
Robinson was the longest-tenured Knick on the championship roster that defeated Victor Wembanyama and his Spurs teammates, spending eight years with the franchise. He was also one of only two rotation players—alongside Miles McBride—who were originally drafted by the Knicks.
Selected by New York in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft with the 36th overall pick. Robinson evolved into a cornerstone during the championship run this past season. He averaged 4.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 13.9 minutes in the postseason. carrying productivity while battling back from a broken right pinky finger he suffered between the Eastern Conference finals and the NBA Finals.
In the 2025 regular season, Robinson played 60 games—the most he had since the 2022-23 season, when injuries had limited him. Over his eight seasons with the Knicks, he averaged 7.5 points and 8.0 rebounds in just under 24 minutes per game.
But the timing of the move lands in the middle of a difficult balancing act for the franchise. Knicks owner James Dolan has made it clear that he intends the team to stay under the second apron. New York has already secured two of its top three free agents—Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet—on multiyear deals. leaving the organization roughly $9 million under the second apron as it heads into free agency.
Free agency began on Tuesday, and the Knicks still need to sign three players, even after accounting for the value Robinson brought both on the court and as a rare long-tenured piece of the championship core.
Mitchell Robinson New York Knicks Boston Celtics NBA free agency NBA Championship 2026 James Dolan Jose Alvarado Landry Shamet Miles McBride Victor Wembanyama San Antonio Spurs