The Los Angeles Lakers had Mitchell Robinson as an alternative option if they failed to acquire Walker Kessler this offseason.
NBA reporter Jovan Buha revealed that Los Angeles was prepared to turn its attention to Robinson as the franchise searched for a new starting center to pair with Luka Doncic.
"My understanding was like if they didn't get Walker Kessler, they were gonna go get Mitchell Robinson," Buha said on Buha's Block.
"I don't think you want to rely on him [Robinson] as your starting center for 82 games," he added. "I don't know that his body can handle that."
Buha also argued that the Lakers ultimately needed to make the Kessler trade, especially after LeBron James' departure that created additional pressure on the organization to strengthen the roster around Doncic.
"I think they had to do the Kessler trade," Buha noted. "Like, I know that's probably a minority opinion, at least among, like, the national perspective, but I just think it was really important to show Luka, especially with LeBron leaving."
Mitchell Robinson ended up with Celtics
The Lakers never had to turn to their backup option after completing the deal for Kessler, while Robinson eventually left the New York Knicks and joined the Boston Celtics in free agency.
Robinson signed a three-year, $47.4 million contract with Boston.
The 7-foot center spent the first eight seasons of his NBA career with the Knicks and helped New York capture the 2026 NBA championship before departing for Boston.
Robinson averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 19.6 minutes across 60 regular-season appearances last season.
He added 4.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game during New York's championship playoff run.