The NBA champion center joins the division rivals for $47.4 million.
Mitchell Robinson, defensive pillar and NBA champion with the Knicks, will no longer wear the New York jersey. The pivot formalized his departure to the as a free agent, ending eight seasons of loyalty under the colors of Madison Square Garden. This massive transfer shakes the architecture of the Eastern Conference.
4 million to join the Massachusetts roster. After being a centerpiece of the Knicks' coronation this season, the giant brings his rim protection and rebounding efficiency to a franchise looking to consolidate its dominance. The Knicks lose a central element of their identity, while the Celtics offer themselves a luxury reinforcement to counter the other title contenders.
The financial terms reflect the value of a player who has proven his crucial importance in recent playoffs. The integration of Robinson in Boston changes the defensive geometry of the franchise. His ability to protect the rim allows the Celtics' outsiders to press the ball carrier more aggressively without fear of the behind-the-back penalty.
This isn't just an addition of talent, it's a closing of the loophole that some teams were trying to exploit in the paint. By securing a specialist of this caliber in the midst of a sporting prime, Boston sends an unequivocal message about its desire to extend its reign rather than suffer it. For New York, the trauma is twofold: tactical and identity.
Losing an internally trained player who grew with the organization to become a champion leaves a scar that dollars can't heal. Rebuilding the racket will have to be done without the soul that drove it, probably forcing managers to explore more volatile options on the market. The historic rivalry between the two franchises has just tipped into a new era of sporting violence.
Every regular season match between these two teams will now have the bitter taste of personal revenge for fans of the Big Apple. The announcement created shock waves in both camps. For New York fans, it's a tough betrayal to swallow after years of service and recent triumph.
In Boston, the enthusiasm is palpable for the arrival of an interior defense specialist. Analysts agree that this move is a game-changer for the next year, transforming the Celtics into even more formidable favorites. The atmosphere in the league is one of shock, seeing a key player change sides within the same division.
The Knicks must now reorganize their racket without their historic protector, a complex task as free agency is in full swing. For their part, the Celtics integrate Robinson into an already powerful system, aiming for immediate chemistry for the upcoming campaign. The rivalry between these two historic franchises has just gone up a notch, and each confrontation between New York and Boston promises to be electric from next season.
Robinson is not just a transfer: it is a defensive poker move. The Celtics are banking on his ability to neutralize opposing interiors, a rare asset in a league where mobile pivots are becoming increasingly rare commodities. His profile perfectly matches Brad Stevens' philosophy, which favors versatile defenders capable of covering several positions.
For the Knicks, this loss adds to a series of departures that questions the organization's ability to retain talent despite recent success. Free agency 2025 could well be the next scene of a battle for the soul of New York. This movement also illustrates a broader trend in the NBA: the concentration of talent in a few franchises.
Teams capable of attracting champions at full premium no longer hesitate to spend massively to lock in their supremacy. Boston, already rich in human capital, strengthens its status as a super-team, while New York must now deal with a void under the baskets. The league could well see the emergence of a new hierarchy, where star transfers become strategic levers rather than marginal adjustments. Read at L'Équipe NBA
Robinson's departure is not a simple technical transfer, it is an earthquake in the NBA hierarchy. By leaving the franchise he led to the title to join a direct rival, he is altering the balance of power in the East. The Knicks lose their defensive anchor, leaving a huge void under the baskets, while the Celtics gain an additional weapon for the title race. This move redefines the ambitions of both teams for the years to come. On a broader scale, it confirms a worrying trend: franchises rich in financial and sporting capital are capturing talent, widening the gap with the rest of the league.
L'Équipe NBAlequipe.frBy RédactionJul 1, 3:59 PMfr-fr
Houston secures its defensive anchor with a massive long-term commitment despite injury concerns.
The Indiana Fever send three starters to Phoenix, proving the league's obsession with Caitlin Clark is real.
The Lakers bet big on Luka Doncic after LeBron James' exit, trading star power for youth and upside in a high-risk, high-reward gamble.
Knicks warn that Trump's Game 3 appearance may spark protests, tighter security and a charged vibe, urging fans to stay calm and brace for a louder night at MSG.
Boston’s aggressive roster reset sends Jaylen Brown into trade markets as the Celtics chase a new-look core.
Brooklyn adds shooting with Wagner, while Boston shores up defense with Robinson, reshaping contenders for the 2026-27 season.
The Knicks center’s elite rim protection and vertical spacing make him the perfect fit for Boston’s title defense system, per Windhorst.
The NBA champion brings his winning pedigree to Boston in a major free agency move.
From the Pacers to the Clippers: here's who passed to get George in a decade of trades.
Boston loses its Finals MVP to Philadelphia, which is reinforced with Paul George to fight for the ring.
Philadelphia bets on the star forward for a lethal trident with Embiid and Maxey, while Boston bets on the future.
The champion center leaves the Knicks after eight seasons to reinforce Boston's paint and weaken the most direct rival in the East.
Jaylen Brown trades and center spending sprees are reshaping the league as executives scramble to adjust.
The Lakers' new leader pays homage to the King while the franchise turns a page without its greatest star.
The Sky Sports analyst analyzes the dynamics behind the exchange between the two All-Stars and how it could reshape the league's hierarchies, with long-term implications
The Roman takes the top spot in the world ranking, an epochal event that changes the geography of global surfing.
Phoenix’s bench outscored Seattle late while Stewart and Diggins-Smith traded clutch plays in a 98-94 thriller.
Toronto bets big on its coach with a new deal as Kawhi Leonard arrives for a title run.
The NBA community mourns the sudden loss of the beloved Memphis big man. Cause of death not yet disclosed.
Dream need a win to halt their four-game skid while Valkyries chase a third straight victory on the road.
Seattle’s 0-11 Western Conference slide meets Portland’s red-hot Leite in a must-win home game for the Storm.
Fast-break points and clutch shooting decide a tight qualifier as Panama holds off Cuba in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers.
A viral weigh-in brawl exposes lax fighter accountability and event security cracks at BKFC’s Liberty Brawl tournament.
A back-and-forth battle ends with Birmingham Legion FC holding off Detroit City FC in a must-watch showdown.
A viral weigh-in brawl exposes lax fighter accountability and event security cracks at BKFC’s Liberty Brawl tournament.
Portugal’s Round of 16 win was overshadowed by relentless jeers for Cristiano Ronaldo in a partisan Toronto crowd.
A 2018 TV comment by Diego Maradona about four 25-minute periods aligns with FIFA’s 2026 cooling break rule, fueling conspiracy-adjacent sports lore.
Coach insists squad depth and collective strength, not one man, will define Argentina’s knockout push.
Néstor Lorenzo’s Cafeteros have unearthed a defensive gem at World Cup 2026—one whose performances are triggering concrete Premier League transfer talks.
A clinical 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 win keeps the German in the hunt for a third-round showdown.
