Mitchell Robinson hints at Knicks free agency truth: ‘Didn’t want this to happen’

Mitchell Robinson’s departure from the Knicks to the Celtics caused a lot of head-scratching around the league, and he’s hinting at there being more to the story.

NBA Finals hero OG Anunoby commented on a post about his now ex-center joining Boston with a cold sweat emoji, resulting in Robinson’s surprising reaction.

“I tried brother I didn’t want this to happen,” Robinson replied to Anunoby. “Hopefully the truth comes out at some point.”

Mitchell Robinson says there is more behind the scenes of his departure story. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

It’s unclear what Robinson is referring to at this point, but the Knicks’ interest in retaining him in free agency was a big to-do after they won the NBA Finals, with owner James Dolan explaining his reluctance to go into the second apron of the salary cap.

“There’s certain things in the NBA that you’d have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron. Cannot go into the second apron,” Dolan said in an appearance on WFAN’s “The Carton Show” last month. “I’ll write as big of a check as possible, but I can’t write a check that goes into the second apron.”

The second apron is set at around $222 million, and surpassing the threshold comes with punitive measures including a much higher tax and trade restrictions.

The Knicks currently have at least $211 million committed to their 2026-27 roster.

With the Knicks keeping Landry Shamet (4 years, $24 million), Jose Alvarado (3 year, $14.6 million) and Mohamed Diawara (4 year, $10 million), there was only about $10 million to give to Robinson — who agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million contract with the Celtics that is set to pay him $15.8 million for 2026-27.

The Knicks could have matched that offer if they were willing to enter the second apron, but they held fast to Dolan’s edict.

OG Anunoby #8 and Mitchell Robinson #23 of the Knicks pose after winning Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals. NBAE via Getty Images

If other machinations existed, it doesn’t seem Robinson is going to be the one to spill the beans.

Robinson was drafted by the Knicks in 2018 and played eight seasons with the team before his departure.

He bid farewell to his former teammate Anunoby in the Instagram message.

“I’m gonna miss you, big dawg,” Robinson said. “Keep doing great things.”