With Mitchell Robinson addition, Celtics fill biggest hole -- and weaken Knicks
Remember when Mitchell Robinson terrorized the Boston Celtics in the 2025 playoffs? Remember what a force he was on defense? The city of New York sure does.
You know what was cool? When Mitchell Robinson guarded all five Celtics on a possession in a closeout playoff game. pic.twitter.com/R6qEfBHFH8
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) June 30, 2026
Robinson was everywhere in that series. In his 124 minutes, the New York Knicks outscored Boston by 18.1 points per 100 possessions and had an offensive rebounding rate of 40.2%. The Celtics surely remember this, but not nearly as fondly.
Boston didn't get a rematch with New York this season, as it blew a 3-1 lead against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. If the Celtics face the reigning champs in next year's playoffs, though, Robinson will be on their side. The free agent has agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million contract with Boston, including a player option in Year 3, per ESPN.
What the Celtics are getting
For the Celtics, this is a home-run signing. At his best, Robinson is a genuine game-changer. A 7-footer with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he is a literally massive deterrent in the paint and will give Boston the vertical spacing it hasn't had since the departure of Robert Williams III three years ago. Aside from Steven Adams, no one on the planet is a bigger difference-maker on the offensive glass.
Is there risk here? Sure: Robinson has had multiple ankle surgeries, and, in the two seasons that preceded the Knicks' title run, played a total of 48 regular-season games. He hasn't played in both sides of a back-to-back since the 2023-24 season, and, even though he's started 19 games since then, he's cleared the 30-minute mark just twice. One cannot assume that, when it's needed most, he will be available and have the mobility that he showed in that 2025 series.
Without the durability concerns, though, there's no chance the Celtics could have nabbed Robinson with the mid-level exception. If they have to cap his minutes and/or hold him out of back-to-backs, they'll accept that, just like they'll accept his awful free-throw shooting. As presently constructed, they don't need that many minutes out of him during the regular season, anyway. They just won 56 games with Neemias Queta and Luka Garza playing the lion's share of the minutes at the 5 spot, and both are still under contract.
After Joel Embiid bullied Boston for three straight games and ended its previously magical season, Brad Stevens' front office knew it had to beef up its frontline for the playoffs. It has done that as elegantly as possible, without trading away any players or picks. And while other big men could have theoretically helped the Celtics gain some ground on New York, Robinson is the only one whose signing directly weakens the team they're chasing. Regardless of what happens with Jaylen Brown, they should feel good about this.
What the Knicks are losing
The Knicks now have to worry about Robinson harassing Karl-Anthony Towns (or cheating off Josh Hart) and generating extra possessions for Boston in a potential playoff series. They also have a hole at backup 5, and, given that owner James Dolan does not want the payroll to exceed the second apron, limited resources to fill it. Earlier on Wednesday, Ariel Hukporti agreed to a deal with the Sixers, per ESPN.
According to The Stein Line, New York sees Kevon Looney as a potential replacement on a minimum contract. He is a free agent, and he was with the Golden State Warriors for all of Mike Brown's tenure there. Andre Drummond, Jaxson Hayes and Nick Richards are still available, too.
If the Knicks are aiming higher, then they'll need to make a trade. Would the Charlotte Hornets, who have an abundance of young bigs, be willing to part with Moussa Diabaté? Would the New Orleans Pelicans move Yves Missi? Maybe there's a deal to be done if New York is willing to part with Deuce McBride or the little draft capital it has left. (It can trade its 2033 first-round pick and can swap its 2030 and 2032 picks.)
For the Knicks, this stings not just because they drafted Robinson in the second round in 2018 and was by far their longest-tenured player. (Nobody else was there for the first year of the Tom Thibodeau era, let alone the relatively brief David Fizdale era and the extremely brief Mike Miller era.) It stings not just because Robinson played a significant role in ending their 53-year title drought and rebounded a missed free throw in crunch time in the clincher. It stings because it was avoidable.
If Dolan were simply willing to go into the second apron, then New York could have offered Robinson the exact same contract he got from Boston. Instead, Dolan's mandate created an opportunity for the Celtics to address their most pressing weakness and meaningfully improve their chances of avenging their 2025 loss. Boston had to pounce on it.
Add CBS Sports on GoogleBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
