After winning an NBA championship with the New York Knicks, Mitchell Robinson is set to begin the next chapter of his career with the Boston Celtics.
One of the downsides of winning a title is that certain players become too expensive for their teams to keep, and Robinson’s departure will surely be a tough pill to swallow for his former teammates, including Josh Hart.
Josh Hart Delivers Brief but Emotional Response to Mitchell Robinson’s Free-Agency Decision
In response to ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting Robinson’s departure via a three-year $47.4 million deal with Boston on Instagram on Wednesday, Hart had one word to say about it, “Damn.”
Josh Hart’s reaction on Instagram to Mitchell Robinson signing with Boston:
“Damn…” 💔 pic.twitter.com/DzuesXmL4P
— June (@HoodieBrunson) July 1, 2026
Hart and Robinson had been teammates since February 2023, when Hart was first acquired by the Knicks at the trade deadline. Over the past three years, the two of them have embarked on a journey together that, while filled with ups and downs, culminated in New York winning its first championship since 1973.
Making matters worse, Robinson not only left the Knicks but left them for a rival in the Celtics, a team that, even after trading Jaylen Brown, is still built to compete with them in the East.
There are multiple reasons why Boston paid up for the eight-year veteran. First, the opportunity was definitely there, as James Dolan went on the record saying the Knicks wouldn’t go into the NBA’s second tax apron to keep their championship core together. Second, Robinson is one of those relentless game-changers whose prowess as a screener and offensive rebounder makes a huge difference when he’s on the floor.
Robinson was a Celtics killer during his time with the Knicks. In fact, he basically proved himself to be their kryptonite when the two teams faced off in the playoffs, as Boston virtually had no answer for him on the boards. Now, he will be New York’s problem going forward.
It also demonstrates the rapport between the players. It can’t be easy to see someone you went to war with leave for an enemy directly after achieving the highest honor possible as teammates.
Even though Hart has a well-documented tight kinship with his college teammates on the Knicks, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges, he evidently formed a similarly strong bond with Robinson.
