The Knicks can cut their injury-prone center to save $14.3 million in the upcoming year.

To be clear, nobody wants to trade Mitchell Robinson, the outstanding defensive center for the Knicks, but in recent seasons, his inability to remain healthy has become an issue.

Prior to the 2022–23 season, Robinson inked a $60 million, four-year contract that would count $17 million against the salary cap. Even being just 26 years old, he will cost $14.3 million for the 2024–25 season due to his declining number.

Even without re-signing Isaiah Hartenstein, the Knicks may use that cash for another player, especially considering that Robinson missed a significant amount of action last season—he only played in 31 games during the regular season.

Robinson shot.575 from the floor and finished with a career-low 5.6 points and 8.5 rebounds throughout seven games. The Knicks ultimately realized Hartenstein’s potential as a result of Robinson’s injury, so it’s possible that the writing is on the wall and that Robinson will be acquired by another team in an attempt to get the best possible deal for him.

If the Knicks choose to add Hartenstein back, they will need to make financial space, and it could be a good idea to use their draft picks to take Robinson’s spot on the roster. Weber State’s Dillon Jones, who experienced a huge increase in both his rebounding and point production this past season, could be an ideal fit as a 3-and-D wing. He would create a void at center behind IHart, but he might be the ideal match to bolster the defense and provide scoring alternatives off the bench.