It will not be easy for the Los Angeles Lakers to find a true upgrade at the center position while also ending up with a better overall roster this summer. But they will have a few options they can consider if they’re open to the right possibilities.
Right now, Mitchell Robinson is playing in the NBA Finals and trying to help the New York Knicks win their first championship since 1973. The Knicks just took both of the first two games of the championship series on the road against the San Antonio Spurs and will return to a frenzied Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Monday.
NBA insider Jake Fischer wrote recently that the Lakers are one team that is interested in Robinson, who will be a free agent at the conclusion of this season.
“Teams regularly relayed to me when I’ve asked around about Robinson’s status have pointed to the [Chicago] Bulls, [Charlotte] Hornets, Lakers and [Toronto] Raptors,” Fischer wrote. “Those are all clubs known to be looking for center upgrades.”
Robinson, who is 28 years of age, may not be a starting-caliber center. But at seven feet and 240 pounds, he’s a very energetic, defensive-minded big man who averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 19.6 minutes a game during the regular season. His current contract is for $12.95 million this season, so he could be an affordable option for Los Angeles and form a solid center tandem with Deandre Ayton, if Ayton exercises his player option for next season.
The issue with Robinson is his injury history. He appeared in 60 games during this regular season, and he played in just 17 games last season and 31 games the season prior to that. He has appeared in more than 66 games in a single regular season just once in his eight NBA seasons.
Unlike Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz, who has been linked to L.A. for a couple of years and whom Lakers fans have been dreaming of landing, Robinson will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers are reportedly interested in Mitchell Robinson of Knicks
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
