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Potential Mitchell Robinson replacement is Knicks’ pick in ESPN’s new mock draft after NBA title
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- Potential Mitchell Robinson replacement is Knicks’ pick in ESPN’s new mock draft after NBA title
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The New York Knicks are still basking in the glow of their recent NBA title, which they won in five games against the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks figure to bring back most of the same core from their title run next season, but one player who might not be in the fold is Mitchell Robinson , who figures to command a hefty payday in unrestricted free agency this offseason.
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Recently, Jeremy Woo of ESPN released his latest 2026 NBA Mock Draft, and in it, he named center Henri Veesaar out of North Carolina as a player that New York could select at number 24 overall to help replace Robinson if he were to leave.
"Veesaar's perimeter shooting and sheer size should give him a path to rotation minutes relatively early and have put him in play for first-round teams that need depth at center," noted Woo, who also reported that "The Knicks are a team that probably will look at bigs, whether at this spot or later, with Mitchell Robinson a pending free agent."
Perimeter shooting is certainly not something that the Knicks got with Robinson, who set NBA records for his lack of proficiency at the free-throw line, particularly in the playoffs. However, the big man did provide a ton of offensive rebounding and rim protection, including a crucial offensive rebound in the closing seconds of Game 5 against the Spurs, which will not be easy to replace should he leave.
Of course, Karl-Anthony Towns will still be the Knicks' starting center next season, and the ability to add a player like Veesaar on a cheap rookie contract could make sense for a New York front office that is suddenly the standard in the modern NBA.
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