Knicks: What does the Nerlens Noel signing mean for Mitchell Robinson?

The New York Knicks started free agency off by re-signing Nerlens Noel, who served as their starting center while Mitchell Robinson nursed injuries.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Noel signed a three-year, $32 million contract with New York.

While this is a beneficial move for the Knicks, it leaves many to question Mitchell Robinson’s future in New York. The 23-year-old center began the 2020-21 season as the starting center but suffered injuries that sidelined him. He played 31 games, starting 29, and averaged 8.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

The New York Knicks re-signed Nerlens Noel to a three-year, $32 million contract, but what does this signing mean for Mitchell Robinson’s future with the organization?

But while Robinson sat, Noel shined as the starter and anchored the Knicks’ interior defense. The veteran big averaged 5.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game across 64 games, 41 of which he started. His blocks per game were the third-best in the league.

The two bigs have similar play styles, serving as lob threats and rim protectors for the Knicks, so it seems plausible that one may be shopped. And that one is more likely to be Robinson after Noel’s signing.

The Knicks picked up Robinson’s team option for the upcoming season, so barring any trades, he will remain with the organization. However, not signing him long-term while also giving Noel a three-year deal may be a foreshadowing of a trade of the soon-to-be fourth-year center.

A potential suitor would have been the Cleveland Cavaliers as they are shopping Collin Sexton. But since Cleveland re-signed Jarrett Allen to a five-year, $100 million extension as well as drafting Evan Mobley, a third team would likely need to be involved for such acquisition to occur.

Who that third team could be is uncertain, but it shouldn’t be difficult to find an organization interested in the 23-year-old center. After all, he is still a young player who is about to enter his fourth year in the NBA. Additionally, his ability to protect the rim at a high level while also being a good interior scorer should make him attractive to other teams.

But his skill set, as mentioned earlier, is similar to that of Noel’s. So it’s intriguing why the Knicks would rather sign the older, less bouncy rim protector. One could reason with the possibility of Robinson asking for a larger contract.

Surely, he would merit a bigger contract than Noel — within reason — but the Knicks’ front office may not view him as significantly better than his older counterpart. That said, the Knicks may believe Robinson is most valuable via the trade market in which they can package him with assets to acquire a premier backcourt member.

If it’s not Sexton, Damian Lillard could be on the table. Stephen A. Smith of ESPN, said Lillard’s “No. 1 destination” if he were to be traded is the New York Knicks. This is, of course, if Lillard does want to leave the Portland Trail Blazers.

Acquiring Lillard would require the Knicks to give up significant assets in return, one of which would likely be Robinson. Alongside him would likely be some mix of Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, RJ Barrett and future first-round draft picks.

And if such a transaction is completed, Lillard would easily become the Knicks’ No. 1 option. The six-time All-NBA performer finished last season averaging 28.8 points per game on .451/.391/.928 shooting splits.

Moving forward, it seems like New York will shift focus to shopping Robinson rather than working on signing him to an extension. What is certain, though, is the Knicks’ commitment to Noel, who likely will be the starting center come October.