The Los Angeles Lakers may have a chance to sign free agent center Mitchell Robinson away from the New York Knicks this summer. However, Robinson is still playing with the Knicks in hopes of winning an NBA Championship before his contract expires. The Lakers are among the teams with the most cap space that could clearly use an upgrade at the center position.
The Athletic named Robinson as one of the top Lakers free agent targets with the following details:
“The Lakers could try to chase restricted free agents Peyton Watson or Tari Eason, though both carry injury issues. Centers Walker, Kessler, and Jalen Duren are widely expected to return to their current teams. Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III are both unrestricted free agents the Lakers could target, along with re-signing Jaxson Hayes.”
Bigger names like Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler were named, but most pundits expect both players to remain with their current teams. Robinson and Robert Williams III are the best options that are expected to change teams since their current franchises are already spending big bucks elsewhere. Lakers fans would love to have a better defender like Robinson guarding the paint and hustling for rebounds next season.
Lakers Plans For DeAndre Ayton & Jaxson Hayes
The Lakers went with the center rotation of former number one pick DeAndre Ayton and reserve big man Jaxson Hayes this season. Both had inconsistent years to make clear why the franchise would be interesting in adding another name to upgrade the center position.
Head coach JJ Redick was caught saying “I can’t play him” on the bench during mistakes made by Ayton in the playoffs. Ayton has a player option to return, but the Lakers would likely prefer him to leave and try to find a better contract elsewhere this summer. Hayes is a free agent at a time when the Lakers must spend on a lot of other things.
Expect one of the two to leave and the other to remain on the roster. Ayton extending his player option would hurt Hayes chances of returning. Hayes would be more likely to stay if Ayton leaves, but both scenarios will see them looking at free agent options to replace one.
Why Mitchell Robinson Would Love To Join Lakers
New York already has big money issued to four players in their starting lineup, and Robinson currently serves as a backup center unlikely to get a strong offer. Karl-Anthony Towns starting at center for the Knicks make it harder to pay Robinson.
The Lakers will likely have a better offer with so much money in cap space to experiment. Robinson would be an affordable upgrade for the Lakers to improve their paint defense and have a more capable center in big games.
Teaming with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and potentially LeBron James would give Robinson a lot of lob dunks or open baskets in the paint. The Lakers need a center with Robinson’s strengths and have the personnel to improve upon most of his offensive flaws with three elite names running the offense.
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