Sources: Drummond to Knicks after Robinson exit
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- Andre Drummond agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the New York Knicks on Friday to replace Mitchell Robinson, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
- Mitchell Robinson signed a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Boston Celtics, a departure framed as expected after chairman James Dolan said the Knicks wouldn't enter the punitive luxury tax second apron.
- Drummond's rebounding profile mirrors Robinson's — he led the NBA in offensive rebounds per game for seven straight seasons with Detroit and four times led the league in total rebounding.
- Drummond spent the past two seasons as Joel Embiid's backup in Philadelphia (6.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in 19.2 minutes across 103 games) and will now back up Karl-Anthony Towns, replacing the Robinson whose offensive rebounding and defense were called integral to the Knicks' NBA championship.
- Drummond is a two-time All-Star who has averaged 12.1 points and 11.9 rebounds over 14 NBA seasons, with his 2017-18 peak producing 15.0 points, 16.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
Why it matters: The Knicks slashed their backup-center commitment from $47.4 million over three years (Robinson) to $3.9 million for one year (Drummond), a cost-driven swap made necessary by Dolan's hard line against the second apron. They are betting that Drummond's rebounding-heavy profile can replicate what Robinson gave them during their championship run.
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