Knicks reportedly fill Mitchell Robinson void with veteran center Andre Drummond on 1-year, $3.9 million deal

The New York Knicks have reportedly reached an agreement with veteran center Andre Drummond on a one-year contract worth $3.9 million, a move framed as a direct replacement for Mitchell Robinson. The signing, first reported by Yahoo Sports, comes as the Knicks adjust their frontcourt rotation after losing one of their most important rim protectors and rebounders from the center spot.

Robinson’s exit is described across multiple reports as the reason New York went looking for a replacement, and it also helps explain the timing. Robinson’s role has been rooted in deterrence at the basket, quickness around the rim, and physical rebounding. Replacing that skill set does not happen only through raw size, it requires a specific blend of shot-blocking instincts and active hands on the glass, particularly against teams that attack the paint consistently.

Drummond arrives after recent production with the Philadelphia 76ers. According to the New York Post, the 33-year-old Drummond averaged 6.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game across 63 games for Philadelphia. Those figures, while not the offensive profile of a primary scorer, align with the type of on-court value a team targets when it needs a center who can rebound, contest shots, and keep opponents from getting easy second-chance possessions.

At 6-foot-11, Drummond is also described as a power-post presence, a style that can mesh with the Knicks’ needs on the defensive end. The Knicks have long emphasized toughness in the paint and a willingness to play inside-out offense with ball pressure and physical screening. A center who can absorb contact in the lane and convert some rebounds into quick putbacks can also take pressure off smaller lineups when the game tightens.

The contract structure matters for how New York can manage roster flexibility. A one-year deal at $3.9 million suggests the front office is buying time and continuity rather than committing long-term to one player. That approach can be especially relevant if the Knicks want to preserve minutes for developing rotation options, or if they plan to rework the center rotation later depending on health, matchups, and offseason opportunities.

Reports also place the move in a broader competitive landscape. ESPN is cited by The New York Post as a source for the terms, and multiple NBA news outlets have echoed the basic details of the agreement. While Drummond’s availability reportedly drew attention from other teams, including at least some speculation about the Los Angeles Lakers, the Knicks are the destination that fits the immediate “Mitchell Robinson replacement” narrative described in the coverage.

The key question for New York is how Drummond’s skill set translates into the Knicks’ specific defensive assignments. Drummond’s rebounding and interior shot contesting can stabilize possessions, but the pairing will depend on how the rest of the roster handles ball-screen coverage, switching responsibilities, and boxing out on the weak side. For Knicks fans, the early focus should be on whether the new center rotation strengthens rebounding totals and reduces second-chance points, especially in playoff-style matchups where the paint becomes contested on nearly every possession.