Add Mitchell Robinson to Troy Weaver's wish list of centers.
The Pistons are eyeing the 23-year-old Knicks big man as a potential long-term piece of their rebuild, according to SNY. Weaver has been actively searching for a young center with more size to pair with 20-year-old Isaiah Stewart in his second season as Detroit's GM.
Robinson, a former second-round pick who's grown into a strong defender and solid scorer for the Knicks, is a pending unrestricted free agent. New York could opt to move him ahead of Thursday's trade deadline if it isn't comfortable with the potential cost of keeping him.
Per SNY, the Pistons 'are among the teams who've had a degree of interest in' Robinson ... but 'it's unknown if Detroit would pursue him via trade or if the club would only consider him if/when he hits free agency.'
The report adds, "But Robinson has fans in the Pistons organization."
In 48 games this season, Robinson is averaging 8.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks; the latter mark ranks eighth in the NBA. At 7'0, he would give the Pistons more length around the rim next to the 6'8 Stewart, who's averaging 7.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks this season himself. He would also fit the team's competitive timeline as it builds around first overall pick and Rookie of the Year candidate Cade Cunningham.
Detroit could offer Jerami Grant in a trade for Robinson, with the Knicks aiming for a playoff push in the second half of the season, but Grant might not mesh with New York's scoring duo of Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. Or the Pistons could make a run at Robinson in free agency as one of a few teams in the NBA projected to have significant cap space this summer.
Weaver is also reportedly eyeing 23-year-old Suns center and former first overall pick Deandre Ayton in free agency and has expressed trade interest in 22-year-old Kings center and former second overall pick Marvin Bagley III.
The Pistons thought they had acquired another young big man last month in the 7'2 Bol Bol, but the trade fell through when Bol failed his physical in Detroit.