Coach Joe Mazzulla is absolutely buzzing about Mitchell Robinson signing with the Boston Celtics, even dropping $15.8 million annually on the big man. That's a massive move, and while Mazzulla's talking up Robinson's game, that price tag for a guy who's battled injuries is already raising some serious eyebrows across the league.
Mazzulla's Obsession With Robinson's Underrated D
Coach Mazzulla isn't just throwing money around; he's absolutely locked in on what Mitchell Robinson brings, especially that *fresh* taste of winning from his New York Knicks' 2026 Finals run. Mazzulla is ready to "leverage the experience," straight up asking Robinson, "what worked for you guys? How can we learn from little stuff that you did?" That's a smart play, trying to infuse that championship mentality. He's even calling Robinson's defense "underrated," pointing out how he guarded "different types of centers," even locking down Kristaps Porziņģis in a 2025 playoff series. Talk about defensive versatility! The coach is stoked about Robinson's "defensive versatility and his pick-and-roll defense," saying it opens up "different tactics" for the team. It's not just about offense, Mazzulla says; he's excited about Robinson's skill, but also about the "freshness of winning" that's "very fresh in your mind."$15.8 Million for a Big Man Who Can't Stay on the Floor
Look, Boston absolutely needed a big man, no doubt about it. And yeah, Mitchell Robinson put up some wild numbers when he *was* out there, averaging a whopping 14.3 points and an unbelievable 22.2 rebounds per 36 minutes in 2025-26. That's elite production, a serious force on the boards. The problem, and it's a huge one, is that "when he's healthy and on the court" part is doing a *lot* of heavy lifting there. He's been logging "fewer than 20 minutes per game the last two years" and has "battled injuries throughout his career." That $15.8 million annual contract starts looking real dicey, real fast, for a guy who's so often sidelined. He clearly brings the rebounding Boston craved, but the risk from those persistent injuries and his absolutely brutal 50.8 percent from the charity stripe could totally limit his value and effectiveness for years to come. This is a high-stakes gamble, pure and simple, and it's got everyone talking. So, yeah, Mazzulla and the Celtics are clearly going all-in on Robinson's talent, betting his recent Finals experience and "underrated" defense outweigh the massive injury concerns. This is a big swing for a team that won it all in 2024; they're clearly trying to keep that championship window wide open. Every single fan, and probably every rival team in the league, will be watching closely to see if that $15.8 million annual gamble pays off, or if those injury woes and brutal free-throw numbers turn into a total disaster. The effectiveness of this move will define Boston's offseason.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.