The key to 2025-26 success for the Los Angeles Lakers is pairing Luka Doncic and LeBron James with a serviceable center this offseason.
Although Steven Adams is off the market after agreeing to a three-year, $39 million extension with the Houston Rockets, Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell predicts that a New York Knicks center will leave for the Lakers to help Doncic and James.
“The Lakers are always going to be among the most talked about teams in the league, but that is especially going to be true now that they have Luka Doncic,” Caudell wrote Friday.
“A lot of the talk is going to be around the Lakers trying to get a center to put around Doncic and LeBron James, which was a clear weakness for them in their postseason loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Los Angeles looked like they had a trade for Hornets center Mark Williams, but was rescinded due to a physical.”
“You can bet that the Lakers are going to be looking for an upgrade at the center position, but a big question will be if it will cost them star guard Austin Reaves in the process. Maybe they find a smaller move that might not be as flashy on paper, but one that works from an on-court and financial standpoint.”
“(Mitchell) Robinson will give them a presence in the middle to help their defense and be a good pick-and-roll partner with Doncic. They still have some expiring contracts and their draft picks to go and find upgrades elsewhere.”
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Caudell’s trade proposal sends Jarred Vanderbilt to the Atlanta Hawks, Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht to the Knicks, and Robinson, Terance Mann, Pacome Dadiet, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick to the Lakers.
Injuries have plagued Robinson throughout his entire NBA career. From fracturing his right foot to dealing with ankle setbacks, the Western Kentucky product's health has been a massive concern from the get-go.
Robinson has only appeared in 48 regular-season contests from 2023-25, but when on the hardwood, the 27-year-old can do damage on both ends.
Robinson is at his best when keeping offensive possessions alive with his activity on the glass and contesting shots while maintaining his verticality.
The seventh-year pro averaged 5.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game on a Knicks squad that surprisingly reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
While Robinson is far from the Lakers’ No. 1 offseason center target, he could be a last-ditch effort at low-post stability if Los Angeles’ wishlist shrinks.
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