League insiders believe the Knicks are planning as if Mitchell Robinson will miss the season after his ankle fracture this month. Robinson's season-long absence would be devastating for New York.
The 25-year-old led the NBA in offensive rebounding before he injured his ankle on Dec. 8. In addition, he led New York's defense.
Robinson was expected to miss two months after surgery, according to the Knicks. Robinson may miss the remainder of the season.
A source validated their Disabled Player Exception application. NBA physicians will now decide if the Knicks get a DPE. The Disabled Player Exception will cover half of Robinson's salary, $7.8 million.
The Knicks might deal using the exception. However, their salary return in a deal is restricted to $172.3 million.
Isaiah Hartenstein has done well replacing Robinson. Robinson's injury will push the Knicks to add front-line players. Jericho Sims is out for at least a week, leaving Hartenstein and Taj Gibson as the Knicks' only healthy centers
According to The Athletic, the Knicks worry Robinson will miss the remainder of the season and have applied for a DPE.
New York (16-11) has won four of six since Robinson's injury. Robinson missed four weeks due to a broken right thumb last year, but they went 8-6. This season, they may be gone longer.