Proposed Warriors 3-Team Trade Lands Above-The-Rim Center

Mitchell Robinson could be the Warriors' low-cost trade target

With Robinson out until January, the Warriors could target him as a low-cost trade candidate without having to give up any of their significant draft assets and save him for a disgruntled star in the future.

With Kerr aiming to turn the Warriors back into a defense-oriented team, Robinson fits the bill as a defensive anchor alongside Green.

Robinson was on his way to an All-Defensive season when an ankle injury forced him to miss 50 regular-season games.

The Knicks' 26-year-old center led the league in offensive rebounding over the past two seasons. He averaged 4.6 offensive rebounds last season. He has career averages of 8.0 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game since the Knicks drafted him 36th overall in the second round in 2018.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau called Robinson an elite center, although he has become expendable with the arrival of four-time All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns.

“I like the versatility that (Robinson) gives us,” Thibodeau told reporters on September 30, according to the New York Post. “Last year we won a lot of games with our rebounding.” We know he's one of the elite. Offensive rebounder, probably the best in the league. Defensive rebound. Rim protection. Pick and roll defense. Those are things he adds to the team.”

Kevon Looney's expiring deal as trade bait

Robinson has two more seasons left on his four-year, $60 million contract.

Moving Looney, whose $8 million contract is expiring, could give the Warriors a solid center through next season. Robinson could also be salary ballast in a star trade if the opportunity arises due to his team-friendly deal.

According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Warriors shopped Looney last season as they explored trading for a new center before the trade deadline in February of last year.

“The Warriors have explored the center market. Could Wendell Carter Jr. be acquired by the Orlando Magic? Atlanta native Clint Capela is reportedly available. “Is Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton worth the price it would take to get him and the contract he would receive in free agency this summer?” Slater wrote on January 30.

However, of these three centers, only Capela is available. But Capela is an older and more expensive version of Robinson. Capela, 30, is owed $22.3 million this year. Like Looney, he also has an expiring contract.