Payton Pritchard believes Mitchell Robinson addresses a specific need for the Boston Celtics after the veteran center joined the team during the 2026 offseason.
“I was his roommate when I was in college one time for USA,” Pritchard said, via HoopsHype. “I think he is going to be great for us. The things we need, the rebounding, the toughness inside, he is going to bring it. Just adding to that big depth that we already have with Neemias and Luka, and then obviously Mitchell now, it is just going to be really good in that area.”
Robinson arrives after appearing in 60 games for the New York Knicks in 2025-26, his highest total since playing 72 games in 2021-22. In 19.6 minutes per game, he averaged 5.7 points and 8.8 rebounds while shooting 72.3% from the field.
Rebounding has been the defining statistical strength of Robinson’s eight-year NBA career. He has averaged 8.0 rebounds in 23.4 minutes per game, including 3.7 offensive rebounds, and produced at least 8.0 rebounds per game in four different seasons.
His 2025-26 numbers were particularly strong on the offensive glass. Robinson averaged 4.2 offensive rebounds per game despite playing fewer than 20 minutes, while his 8.8 total rebounds exceeded the averages of Boston’s two primary centers from last season, Neemias Queta and Luka Garza.
Queta was the Celtics’ most-used center in 2025-26, starting 75 of his 76 appearances and averaging 10.2 points and 8.4 rebounds in 25.3 minutes. Garza provided a different offensive profile, averaging 8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 16.2 minutes across 69 games.
The addition of Robinson gives Boston three centers who combined for 21.3 rebounds per game last season. It also adds another high-volume offensive rebounder to a team that finished 56-26 and second in the Eastern Conference before losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in seven games in the first round of the playoffs.
Robinson’s availability will remain an important factor after he played only 17 games in 2024-25 and 31 in 2023-24. However, his return to 60 appearances last season represented his most extensive campaign in four years.
Boston has undergone significant roster changes this summer, including the trade of Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia and the departure of Nikola Vucevic in free agency. With Jayson Tatum returning from the injury that limited him to 16 games last season, the Celtics have reshaped their supporting cast around their remaining core.
