Mitchell Robinson’s season is already delayed due to injury.
The Knicks center, whose biggest issue as a pro is staying healthy, hasn’t recovered from his left foot surgery and is targeting a December/January return, a league source confirmed Monday.
The Knicks, according to a NBA source, are being careful not to rush Robinson back until he’s 100 percent healthy, meaning it could be a longer absence depending on the 26-year-old’s recovery.
Robinson fractured his ankle in December and missed 50 straight games after undergoing surgery. He returned for the playoffs but was re-injured during a physical battle with Joel Embiid in the opening round, prompting another procedure to the area in May.
It’s unclear how Robinson was re-injured but speculation has centered on a dirty play from Embiid in Game 3, when the Sixers center dragged his opponent to the floor. Embiid avoided an ejection and Robinson left the arena in a walking boot.
“If I did (Embiid’s takedown), I would’ve been out and suspended,” Robinson said later. “I would’ve been out of there.”
About five months after the Embiid play, Robinson isn’t close to returning. A source said Robinson was recently doing pool work at the practice facility.
“God I got ALOT I want to say but I’ll just leave it in your hands not everything needs a reaction,” Robinson posted on Instagram. “Look me in the eyes and try to feel my pain.”
Robinson’s extended absence leaves a giant hole in the middle after the free agency departure of Isaiah Hartenstein to OKC. Although the Knicks have been canvassing the trade market for a center this offseason, a league source said the team is currently expressing confidence in the roster’s depth and versatility.
Jericho Sims, who is athletic but unproven, carries the highest upside as a traditional center replacement. According to a source, the 25-year-old has been at the Knicks training facility since mid-August and benefitting from working with Knicks assistant Mark Bryant, a recent veteran addition to the staff who specializes in developing frontcourt talent.
As The Post reported, Sims, who will be a free agent after the season, is enjoying his first healthy offseason since 2021 because of previous surgeries to his thumb and shoulder. He was training with Mike Bibby in Arizona earlier in the summer.
The Knicks also re-signed Precious Achiuwa who filled in last season at power forward and center. Achiuwa, also a free agent after the season, averaged 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks over 24.2 minutes and 49 games with the Knicks.
Sims averaged two points and 3.3 rebounds in 13 minutes on 69% shooting in 45 games last season.
Another option, as recently posited by Tom Thibodeau, is going small with Julius Randle at center. Scouts noted that the configuration should provide the Knicks with an offensive advantage but worried about Randle’s defensive deficiencies.
OG Anunoby, presumably the starting small forward, can also defend centers.
“We’ll probably have to do [center] by committee,” Thibodeau said recently in an interview with NBA.com. “We’ll look at some different things, because we have versatility — we could see Julius more at the 5. I don’t want to do that for long stretches, it would take its toll, but to have him do it for 10 or 15 minutes, I think he can do it well.”
