Belief is Mitchell Robinson could return this season; NBA denies Knicks' exception request

Mitchell Robinson may be back in time for the playoffs.

The NBA denied the Knicks’ request for a Disabled Player Exception this week, leaving the organization optimistic that Robinson can return from his ankle injury late in the regular season.

Robinson suffered a stress fracture in his left ankle in a Dec. 8 loss at the Boston Celtics. The injury required surgery. Initially, the Knicks said Robinson would be re-evaluated in eight to 10 weeks. Shortly after the surgery, some with the Knicks feared that Robinson could miss the entire season.

So New York’s front office applied for a Disabled Player Exception. This was done out of due diligence and due to uncertainty around Robinson’s return. The exception would have been granted if NBA doctors felt Robinson was likely to be sidelined through June 15.

If granted, the Knicks would have had a $7.8 million exception to use in trades.

But league doctors didn’t find sufficient evidence to suggest Robinson might be out for six months, league sources confirmed. The news was first reported by ESPN.

Getting Robinson back would be a huge lift for New York.

Before his injury, Robinson led the NBA in offensive rebounding. He defended the paint at a high level. Adding Robinson to a roster that includes a strong wing defender in OG Anunoby would be significant. It could also impact the Knicks’ approach at the deadline. 

As noted on The Putback on Wednesday, New York had been undecided on whether to pursue frontcourt players or wings in trades ahead of the deadline. If the Knicks know Robinson may be back, you’d think they’d be less likely to spend significant draft capital on a big man.

Despite the club’s optimism about Robinson, the 26-year-old still has significant hurdles to clear to get back on the court.

Backup center Isaiah Hartenstein has been tremendous in Robinson’s absence.

Hartenstein is averaging eight points, 10.6 rebounds (3.9 offensive), 2.6 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.6 steals per game since Robinson last played. The Knicks are 10-6 in that span. They’ve won five straight since acquiring Anunoby in a late December trade with Toronto.

Entering play Wednesday, New York (22-15) was in a tie with Indiana for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

While the Robinson news is great for the Knicks, it’s also valuable to opposing teams. Several teams doing their homework ahead of the February trade deadline were curious about Robinson’s health/timeline for a return. Those teams now have some clarity on the situation.

Of course, it’s not a surprise that teams would want to know more about the center. Before he got hurt, Robinson was having the best year of his career. He is in the second year of a four-year, $60 million contract. He’s one of the Knicks’ most valuable trade assets.

But it would be a surprise if New York was open to moving him ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

If healthy, Robinson gives the Knicks incredible depth at center in the postseason. He and Anunoby can cover a lot of space on defense and disrupt the opposing team’s game plan.

Tom Thibodeau regularly praised Robinson for his impact on both ends of the floor for New York.

“His effort plays are special. It inspires the team,” the coach said in late November. “He's not gonna have a 40-point night. But some of the plays that he makes are just incredible…Oftentimes, there's 2-3-4 efforts on the play; he's got bodies all over him, people are clamping & holding him -- he's still getting to the ball.

“His pick-and-roll defense is terrific,” the coach added. “Rim protection, terrific. All the intangibles that he brings to the team. I say this all the time: I know his teammates have great appreciation for what he does, coaches, our whole organization -- but sometimes people don't realize the impact that he has.”

If the Knicks are lucky, Robinson will be back in early April, reminding those people of the many ways he can impact the game.