Celtics predicted to outbid Knicks, Lakers for $60 million fan-favorite rebounding star, NBA champion originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Lakers received a positive offseason projection on their chances of signing a New York Knicks fan-favorite rebounding star and NBA champion.
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Lakers could outbid New York for the valuable second-unit center this summer.
“I would say if the Lakers put an offer in that $13-15 million range, it would be hard for New York to match something like that,” Marks reportedly stated.
However, MassLive’s Brian Robb is under the impression that the Boston Celtics could soon enter the equation and win the Mitchell sweepstakes when it’s all said and done.
“The Knicks already have about $209 million committed to 10 players next year, including their first-round draft pick,” Robb wrote last Friday. “The second apron is at $221 million. Robinson’s market is going to be above $12 million, so it’s hard to see a world where the Knicks can offer to bring him back if they intend on staying under that spending line.”
“Trimming significant salary would involve trading away a member of the team’s starting five and that seems like a non-starter after a championship run. This could open the door for Boston to make a strong offer for Robinson in free agency.”
“The team can offer the full midlevel for Robinson starting at just over $15 million for up to four years. That type of deal would create a hard cap for Boston at the first apron, $209 million, but certainly would create a formidable rotation in the middle (albeit without much shooting range).”
Neemias Queta and Luka Garza are decent low-post options, but their impact is nowhere near as strong as Robinson’s. The 7-foot center has mastered the art of perfectly positioning himself with possession-saving (offense) and possession-ending (defense) rebounds during crucial moments.
As a result, Robinson earned a championship at the end of the 2025-26 season, as he was one of several valuable contributors who helped guide the Knicks to their first title since 1973 (they defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games).
Robinson, who’s now a 7.5-point and 8.0-rebounder for his career, would give the Celtics an accomplished, high-motor big man who has experience fulfilling his role on an Eastern Conference squad that finally went the distance.
It’ll be interesting to see if Boston’s interest in the former second-round pick grows with time.
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