The Boston Celtics have been busy during the second day of NBA free agency. After signing Mike Conley, Boston signed former New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson.
Robinson was the longest-tenured Knick, but he is now going to be in green for the Celtics. Heading into the offseason, the Celtics' biggest need was improving the frontcourt after a rough postseason run. Adding Robinson, however, does make things more complicated for Luka Garza.
Luka Garza may see his role decreased after Mitchell Robinson signing
Last offseason, Boston signed Garza, and it's fair to say he played above expectations during the regular season. Garza averaged the most minutes of his career, playing 16.2 minutes a game. He finished the season averaging 8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds (both career highs), while also shooting 57.7% from the field and 43.3% from three (also career highs).
Playoffs were a different story, with some of Garza's weaknesses being exposed. Now that Boston has added Robinson, Garza goes from being the expected backup center to the team's third-string center.
Next season, I would expect Neemias Queta to remain the starter. Given the growth Queta has shown since joining Boston, it would make sense for Boston to keep him in the starting five. Robinson should fill the backup center spot just like he did with the Knicks, leaving Garza without a guaranteed spot in the rotation.
Defensively, Garza struggled in the playoffs, and Robinson is an upgrade in that spot. Though the Iowa alum has more offensive upside, Boston may not need it, given the rest of the roster. If the Celtics don't need the scoring that Garza can provide, he may find himself outside their rotation.
Mitchell Robinson's strengths make him more valuable than Luka Garza
The biggest strength of Robinson's game is his defense and rebounding. Robinson was a huge part of the Knicks' NBA championship run and of slowing down San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama in the NBA Finals. After Boston struggled to defend the rim in the playoffs, Robinson can help with that.
Rebounding will be another area that Robinson will help the Celtics with. Boston finished third last season in rebounds per game(46.4). When looking at offensive rebounds, they tied for third with the Minnesota Timberwolves with 12.1 offensive rebounds per game.
Last season, Robinson averaged 8.8 rebounds per game, with 4.2 offensive rebounds per game. Given how much Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla pushes to win in the margins, the Western Kentucky alum will help Boston out.
Offensively, Robinson doesn't have much of an individual game, mainly thriving in lob attempts. You also have to worry about other teams employing the hack-a-Mitch, as Robinson is a poor shooter from the free-throw line, shooting 40.8% in the regular season and 29.3% in the playoffs.
Robinson isn't the most durable player either, only playing more than 70 games once in his career. While he does have durability and offensive concerns, the Florida native should still provide Boston value due to his defense and rebounding.
Add us as a preferred source on Google