Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers could undergo significant roster turnover this offseason, potentially headlined by the departure of LeBron James.
Several key contracts are approaching expiration, most notably James. His exit could open roughly $51 million in cap space, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
That projection also factors in Austin Reaves’ $20.9 million hold as he enters unrestricted free agency.
With the possibility of league-leading cap flexibility, Marks’ ESPN colleague Kevin Pelton has identified the center position as one of the Lakers’ top priorities this summer.
Lakers Expected to Address Long-Standing Instability at Center
The center position has remained one of the most unsettled spots on the Lakers’ roster in recent years.
Former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton was signed last offseason, but his inconsistent performances have sparked growing calls for him to be removed from the starting lineup.
Questions about his long-term future in Los Angeles have also begun to surface.
Ayton holds an $8.1 million player option this summer, but the Lakers are widely expected to explore other options on the open market.
New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi has frequently been linked to Los Angeles, but FanSided’s Christopher Kline believes the Lakers should pursue New York Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson.
“The Lakers need to look at Mitchell Robinson in free agency,” Kline wrote. “He offers one of the widest catch radiuses in the NBA — melding nuclear bounce with track-and-field agility and a 7-foot-4 wingspan.”
“Robinson is a premium vertical spacer. He sprints out in transition, rolls hard off of screens and does all the small things L.A. wishes Ayton would do. Even if the latter picks up his option, the Lakers should target Robinson and stick him in the starting lineup as the Lakers’ version of Derrick Lively or Daniel Gafford.”
Robinson is currently in the final season of a four-year, $60 million contract that pays him $12.9 million through the 2025-26 campaign before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Mitchell Robinson’s Skillset Could Address LA’s Interior Weaknesses
Through 47 games this season, Robinson is averaging 5.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 70.7% from the field.
For a Lakers team that has struggled to establish consistent physicality and defensive presence in the paint, the seven-footer’s profile immediately stands out as a potential solution.
Los Angeles ranks near the bottom of the league in several key rebounding and interior defensive categories, areas where Robinson has consistently made an impact throughout his career.
He remains one of the NBA’s elite offensive rebounders, averaging 4.3 offensive boards per game, the fourth-highest mark in the league.
That ability to generate second-chance opportunities could be particularly valuable alongside Luka Doncic and Reaves, should the latter re-sign this summer.
While injuries have disrupted portions of his career, Robinson has repeatedly shown his value as an elite rim protector and rebounder when healthy.
He may not be a headline-grabbing star, but he has built a reputation as one of the league’s most effective role-playing centers.
Earlier in his Knicks tenure, Robinson averaged close to 10 points and more than two blocks per game, establishing himself as one of the NBA’s premier interior defenders.
With league-leading cap space potentially available, the Lakers would have the financial flexibility to pursue Robinson in unrestricted free agency, positioning him as a possible solution to their ongoing frontcourt concerns.