As the start of NBA free agency approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers will need to address the center position. One player they have been linked to leading up to this point has been Mitchell Robinson of the World Champion New York Knicks, and he be gettable.
According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, the Knicks are unlikely to keep Robinson in unrestricted free agency this offseason:
Heard it’s unlikely Mitchell Robinson will be back with Knicks next season. He’s longest tenured Knick but also an unrestricted free agent. Owner James Dolan said he’s unwilling to pay into second apron so running it back with bench is not feasible.
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) June 26, 2026
Robinson is a player that has been linked to the Lakers going all the way to the 2018 draft when they wound up taking Mo Wagner over him despite a reported promise. He has carved out a nice career for himself in New York and was a key piece off the bench during their recent championship run.
The Lakers have made it known that they are looking to improve at the center position this offseason as the tandem of Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes was serviceable, but not championship-level. L.A. has the most cap space in the league and would make sense as a destination for Robinson if he were to leave the Knicks.
Robinson’s strengths are rebounding and rim protection, which the Lakers greatly lacked last season and need in order to maximize the backcourt of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
On the other hand though, Robinson’s limitations are glaring as he has struggled to stay healthy, averaging just 50 games per season over his eight-year career. He also struggles at the free throw line as a career 50.8% shooter and teams will often play him off the floor by fouling him in the bonus. Lakers fans should know that as the “Hack-a-Shaq” strategy.
The 28-year-old is coming off a season in which he played 78 games though including the playoffs, so perhaps the Lakers feel that is repeatable and will give him a look when free agency gets underway on Tuesday, June 30.
Luka Doncic wants ‘A-list’ center on Lakers
According to reports, Doncic has let the Lakers know that he wants them to add an “A-list” center this offseason. Robinson doesn’t exactly fit that billing, but if they can’t land one of the best big men available on the restricted free agent or trade markets then he may be their fallback plan.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
