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The Knicks must turn to lower-profile options in the buyout market in the absence of starting center Mitchell Robinson.

Two-time All-Star center Andre Drummond agreed to join the Lakers after clearing waivers at 5 p.m. Sunday, he revealed on Instagram, while Gorgui Dieng was set to sign with the Spurs, according to multiple reports.

Robinson suffered a fractured right foot in the first quarter of Saturday’s 102-96 win in Milwaukee, his fourth appearance since returning from a 15-game absence following hand surgery.

Robinson, who turns 23 on Thursday, understandably was dejected after suffering his second consecutive significant injury this season.

“Soon as I start to get back to myself this happens. I watched the video a few times that was some bs,” Robinson tweeted early Sunday morning. “Been taking a beating all year long smfh,” which stands for shaking my f–king head.


  The Knicks were prepared to move on from pursuing Andre Drummond (l.) before Mitchell Robinson (r.) suffered a fractured foot. NBAE via Getty Images The Knicks were prepared to move on from pursuing Andre Drummond (l.) before Mitchell Robinson (r.) suffered a fractured foot. NBAE via Getty Images

Robinson, who suffered a broken bone in his right hand Feb. 12 against Washington, crashed to the floor clutching his foot after going up for a rebound with Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez midway through Saturday’s first quarter. Robinson hobbled off the court and had to be helped to the locker room moments later.

Derrick Rose, who returned Saturday after nearly a month out of the lineup following a positive COVID-19 result, and RJ Barrett also were visibly upset after learning of Robinson’s diagnosis after the game. Rose, the 2011 NBA MVP, missed the entire 2012-13 season with a torn ACL and endured other knee injuries during his career.

“The team, everybody knows — he knows how the team feels,” Rose said of Robinson. “One on one, I didn’t talk to him. But I went through a lot of injuries myself so I know his mind is probably racing right now, going crazy. So I’ll probably let him calm down and [Sunday] whenever he’s free, I’ll probably chop it up with him.”

The Knicks will replace Robinson with the combination of veteran big men Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson, who combined for 12 points, 19 rebounds and seven blocked shots against the Bucks.

The Knicks also created two roster spots by waiving Terrance Ferguson and Vincent Poirier, who were acquired in the three-team deal that sent Austin Rivers (also waived Sunday) to Oklahoma City.

One lower-level free agent the Knicks have kept on their radar is 7-footer Norvel Pelle, who was waived by both Brooklyn and Sacramento this season.

Other available big men include Dewayne Dedmon, John Henson, Jordan Bell, Ian Mahinmi, Thon Maker and former Knick Kyle O’Quinn. Former All-Star DeMarcus Cousins also has been a free agent since he was waived by the Rockets on Feb. 23.

The Lakers were considered the front-runners to sign Drummond since he was bought out Friday by the Cavaliers. The Post had reported before Saturday’s win that Knicks brass had cooled on signing Drummond because they decided to commit to the 22-year-old Robinson at center for the remainder of the season. They also wanted to preserve their cap space for the offseason.

The Spurs are adding Dieng to replace LaMarcus Aldridge, who agreed to sign with the Nets on Saturday after he was bought out by San Antonio. The 31-year-old Dieng, who was bought out Friday by Memphis, played for Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota from 2016-19.

— Additional reporting by Marc Berman

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