Mitchell Robinson’s absence until December or January will be a blessing in disguise for the Knicks, says one NBA analyst.

Former NBA big man Kendrick Perkins believes Robinson’s absence will allow coach Tom Thibodeau to play Julius Randle as a small-ball five man, meaning the Knicks can play a more uptempo style while Robinson is out.

“Julius Randle, if he embraces this role like I think he is, being a guy that’s going to mix it up picking-and-popping, picking-and-rolling, a versatile defender that can switch 1 through 5 on the defensive end, I love this for Tom Thibodeau and the New York Knicks,” Perkins said Tuesday on ESPN’s “The Jump.”

Randle underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in April and missed the postseason, but is expected to be fully healthy for the start of training camp next week.

“[The Knicks] are going to finish with the best record in the NBA and Tom Thibodeau should have a sigh of relief right now,” Perkins said.

“When it comes down to now being able to experiment at the five position until Mitchell Robinson gets back. Now you don’t have to have that conversation with Mitchell Robinson, why [Thibodeau] is going to bring him in off the bench.

“I love the idea of Julius Randle playing the five alongside OG Anunoby being like a somewhat stretch four, and then you have Jalen Brunson and probably Mikal Bridges. Who knows who is going to play that fifth spot?”

Of course, the Knicks will still have to play some bigger teams and will need size to compete in the frontcourt against those teams — and for the playoffs. For now, they only have Randle, Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims as bigs after Isaiah Hartenstein signed in free agency with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Knicks are tied as the fifth favorite to win the NBA title with the defending champion Boston Celtics favored to repeat.

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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter who covers Seton Hall and NJ college basketball for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @AdamZagoria and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com.