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For most people outside the Knicks, Mitchell Robinson leaving in free agency was an expected outcome.
Apparently, that wasn’t the case inside the organization, at least for the players.
“That hurt,” Karl-Anthony Towns said during the team’s Media Day on Monday. “I was very surprised. I was very surprised that Mitch wasn’t gonna be back here with us. I think all of us were, so it was a surprise to everybody. I thought something would get done there.”
Robinson signed a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the rival Celtics in free agency.
The Knicks, operating under owner James Dolan’s edict to remain below the second apron and avoid its financial penalties, were not able to make a competitive offer to Robinson, the only significant departure from their championship-winning team.
“I was heartbroken with that one. That’s one of my guys,” Josh Hart said. “I love him. Obviously, he was drafted here, gave his heart to the city. That’s why people haven’t repeated [as champions] for the last eight years because of that second apron and that CBA. Obviously, extremely gutted when he left, but I wish him well all but the four times that we play them. But I got love for him. He helped us win a championship, and he should always be loved and shown love in the city and in the arena.”
The Knicks pivoted to budget option Andre Drummond, signing him to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum. He is set to serve as the team’s backup center behind Towns.
“Definitely tough,” Jalen Brunson said. “That’s my guy, and it just — I think, no matter what, I feel I’m happy for him. Obviously, it’s another opportunity. He got paid, as well. It’s definitely difficult, but you love to see someone advance their generational wealth, so it’s cool to see from that aspect. And just getting Andre, we’re excited. I think he could be a big key to this team. I’ve known him from afar, but getting to know him now, it’s gonna be great.”
Brunson has not yet watched his “Saturday Night Live” skits, so he can’t judge for himself or pick a favorite just yet.
Hart can, though.
“I don’t think he has a future in acting,” Hart said.
Towns felt love from Knicks fans on the other side of the planet.
He got married to Jordyn Woods this offseason, and the two honeymooned in Africa.
“We went to Nairobi. We went to Kenya. We went to Tanzania,” Towns said. “And it was crazy just seeing — we’d be out in the Serengeti, and there were people in the open cars, in the wild going, ‘Knicks in five!’ That’s pretty crazy, actually.”
