There is plenty of speculation as far as how the Los Angeles Lakers should and will address their dire need for a starting-caliber defensive center. As of now, Jaxson Hayes is the only true center on their roster who is signed to a standard contract, and his limitations were never more clear than they were during the team’s first-round playoff series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Lakers will, more likely than not, look to acquire a center via trade, given that they have little or no wiggle room within the salary cap. One Bleacher Report writer suggested they go after an intriguing big man who could give them the qualities they need in the middle — Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks.

Advertisement

This mock trade has Los Angeles sending out forward Jarred Vanderbilt, a 2025 second-round draft pick and the right to swap first-round picks in 2026.

Via Bleacher Report:

“The Lakers don’t need an All-Star center, but rather just someone with size who can protect the rim and be a vertical lob threat for Luka Dončić and LeBron James to find,” wrote Greg Swartz.

“Robinson, 27, is a true 7-footer who knows his role and plays it well. He does a good job of cleaning the offensive glass and has blocked 2.7 shots per 36 minutes in his seven-year career.”

Robinson is one player who has given the Knicks the type of grit and resolve they have possessed over the past two seasons. He has career averages of 7.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 24.1 minutes a game, and he’s a rugged player who can also finish strong at the rim.

However, he has been injury-prone over the years. He has appeared in just 48 regular-season games over the last two seasons, and he’s played in over 66 games in a season just once.

Advertisement

After the failed trade for Mark Williams, the Lakers should bring in a center they will be relying on who will likely miss a good chunk of every season and possibly also be unavailable during the playoffs.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: This mock trade gives Lakers gritty defensive-minded starting center