Ceiling, floor, expectations: Mitchell Robinson with the Boston Celtics in 2026-27

September 22, 2026

As each day of the 2026 NBA offseason passes, we inch closer to the start of the 2026-27 regular season for the Boston Celtics. And as Opening Night draws nearer, the outline of the roster that will take the floor for Game 1 of 82 is starting to come into focus as well.

After Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens traded star forward Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, it became clear that this is a critical season for the team’s current contention arc, with the team being remade to maximize the rest of the team’s sole superstar, Jayson Tatum. What is the ceiling, floor, and our expectation for each of the players currently under contract with Boston given this sea change in structure for the team?

To such an end, Daniel Donabedian and Justin Quinn of the Celtics Wire took a player-by-player deep dive into the answers for these questions. So let’s dive into our assessment for Mitchell Robinson for this edition of our player projections for the campaign soon to arrive.

Mitchell Robinson – center

Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) secures a rebound against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Ceiling

JQ: The ceiling for Robinson is a healthier, more available version of himself that takes the floor somewhere north of 65 games, something that has happened only twice in the eight seasons the Western Kentucky alum has managed over the course of an eight-season career in the league.

That outcome isn’t a wild one given Boston’s big man depth and the Celtics proven capabilities of helping keep aging and injury-prone players reasonably healthy over the course of an 82-game season. It probably means he plays under 20 minutes a game (maybe even closer to 15) throughout the regular season with a small ramp-up at the end of the campaign.

May 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) looks to pass after a rebound as Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) defends in the first half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

DD: The Celtics trading Jaylen Brown dominated headlines, but adding center Mitchell Robinson was arguably the Green Team’s second-biggest move of the offseason. The reigning NBA champion provides Boston with a formidable shot-blocker who knows the ins-and-outs of his former team: the rival New York Knicks.

If he can stay healthy, Robinson could transform the Celtics’ defense while locking down the paint. His ability to crash the boards should make him a quick favorite of head coach Joe Mazzulla as well, guaranteeing the 7-footer a spot in the big man rotation — and maybe even the starting lineup. Regardless of whether or not he starts, Robinson has the potential to make the C’s one of the best rebounding teams in the league next season.

Floor

JQ: Injuries have eaten tree-quarters and then some of Robinson’s season just the year before last, and that, more or less, would be the crux of any worst-case outcome for the Louisiana native with Boston. His player type is not all that different from that of Neemias Queta, meaning integrating him into the team’s play style ought not to be a major concern.

And his personality is laid back and focused on winning, the 7-foot big man known for his affable nature and team-first approach to professionalism. So any analysis of what might go wrong here starts and ends with his availability to play based on health.

Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) reacts after scoring during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

DD: Robinson’s floor is pretty simple. The 28-year-old won’t be worth the annual $15 million the Celtics are paying him if he misses over half of the regular season. His fit with this roster is apparent, yet so is his injury risk, as Robinson hasn’t played in more than 60 games in a single regular season since the 2021-22 campaign.

We know what Robinson can do at his best. He’s an NBA champion who can serve as the centerpiece of a top-tier defense. The first-year Celtic just needs a relatively clean bill of health to make all of that possible. If Robinson can’t stay healthy, he won’t take the starting job from center Neemias Queta and Boston will have to get creative at the five spot.

Expectation

JQ:I expect Robinson to suit up for 55-60 contests with the Celtics this season, resting on back-to-backs and in busier stretches to help keep him health for the postseason. His role will be similar as to what he played with the New York Knicks, and his counting stats should largely stay the same as they have throughout his career.

Keep an eye on his free throws given Boston’s capabilities in developing players even once they enter their prime on smaller aspects of their game, with a number of Boston alumni seeing their efficiency at the charity stripe improve after some time with the team.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks in the first quarter of Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 16, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) — NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 16: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks in the first quarter of Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 16, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

DD: Despite the fact that Robinson has played for the Knicks his entire career, I think he’ll gel well with the Celtics (and Mazzulla, especially). He brings the offensive rebounding prowess they’re looking for and could give Boston a terrific one-two punch at center alongside Queta.

For now, I predict that he’ll come off the bench to begin the season and start in certain spots when the C’s expect their opponents to abuse a Hack-a-Robinson strategy. I don’t know how much he’ll burn foes for that at the line, however, I do picture him bolstering Boston’s defense and becoming a Robert Williams-like Celtic — if healthy.