Upgrading the center position has been a known priority for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason as getting the ideal big man who fits with superstar Luka Doncic is critical to the team’s success. One of the players who quickly emerged as a target was Mitchell Robinson, who was an important piece for the New York Knicks’ run to the NBA Championship.
But with the Knicks nearing the dreaded salary cap second apron, them retaining Robinson was unlikely. The Lakers were known to be interested in Robinson, but he is instead headed to the rival Boston Celtics, via Shams Charania of ESPN:
Free agent center Mitchell Robinson has agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million deal to sign with the Boston Celtics, with a player option in third season, sources tell ESPN. Robinson departs the Knicks after serving a key role on the historic championship team. pic.twitter.com/tl3R6nlU1m
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026
The Lakers were looking for a rim-running center and Robinson would have fit that bill, although they ended up taking a bigger swing by acquiring Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz.
Robinson is still a nice pickup for Boston though as he has averaged more than four offensive rebounds per game in four of the last five seasons and his ability to create extra possessions was absolutely crucial for the Knicks over the past few years. It also made him extremely beloved in New York and that will surely be the case amongst the Celtics’ faithful as well. He also averages 1.7 blocks per game for his career, so he provides needed rim protection.
Of course, Robinson is not without his faults as his offensive production is limited solely to dunks and layups at the rim and he had the worst free throw percentage in the NBA amongst qualified players last season at just 40.8%. This led teams to often employ the “Hack-A-Shaq” strategy against him, which sometimes forced him off the court.
Robinson has operated primarily as a backup for the Knicks over the last couple of seasons, but he has never averaged more than 27.5 minutes in a season.
Last season, Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds (4.2 offensive) and 1.2 blocks in just 19.6 minutes per game.
Lakers rookie Cameron Carr excited to learn from Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves
One player who could be on the receiving end of some lobs from Doncic and Reaves is rookie first-round pick Cameron Carr, who is looking forward to learning from both of the Lakers’ guards.
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