The Los Angeles Lakers’ needs this coming offseason are no secret. A center will be targeted as a priority.
At the trade deadline the LA Lakers made a move for Mark Williams, a deal that was later rescinded. This move showed the Lakers’ hand – it was clear the team wanted to add a center.
After their first round playoff elimination, it was glaring that the Lakers needed a center and could not compete without one.
General manager Rob Pelinka pledged in his exit interview that the team will be looking to fill the holes on their roster.
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesLA Lakers told to sign Mitchell Robinson
Various names have been suggested as possible LA Lakers trade or free agency targets, with Myles Turner and Naz Reid among them. There is also interest in Onyeka Okungwu.
A new player thrown into the mix is the New York Knicks‘ Mitchell Robinson, during a segment on ESPN’s Get Up.
Regular guest Mike Greenberg made the suggestion, commenting: “I expect that they’re going to be calling every single team that has a big man, and here in New York, they should be calling the Knicks about Mitchell Robinson.
“If the Knicks are trying to get assets, if they’re trying to figure out what they want to do with their roster going forward, maybe even need to save money.
“That’s a guy the Lakers should be targeting he would be a perfect fit on that team.”
Mitchell Robinson in 2024-25
Mitchell Robinson missed a large part of the NBA season due to injury, before returning after the All-Star break.
Robinson ended up making a real impact in the Knicks’ playoff run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
His heatmap from the season, via Sofascore demonstrates Robinson’s limited skillset, with almost all of his action coming beneath the rim.
Yet this is exactly what the LA Lakers are missing. His performances were praised by Jalen Brunson, while OG Anunoby hailed his ‘unique’ abilities for his size.
Robinson averaged 7.1 rebounds in the playoffs, up on his 6.5 average for the season, with his work helping to facilitate the success of his teammates, and this is the type of player Luka Doncic and LeBron James could benefit from.
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There is another positive aspect to be said for Mitchell Robinson too. He is used to playing in the big markets and the pressure that would come with playing in LA.
His reaction to the Knicks’ exit showed how he was able to separate professional frustration from personal happiness, and the Lakers could do worse than give him a call.