New Mitchell Robinson Rumors Link Lakers, Nets as Potential Landing Spots amid Knicks Buzz

After winning an NBA championship with the New York Knicks, center Mitchell Robinson is reportedly generating interest ahead of the start of free agency.

According to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Los Angeles Lakers are "regarded as a likely suitor" for Robinson "amid a growing pessimism that the Knicks will be able to hang onto" him.

Stein and Fischer added that the Brooklyn Nets also have "legitimate interest" in trying to sign the veteran big man as well.

Stefan Bondy of the New York Post echoed Stein and Fischer's report that Robinson is not expected back with the Knicks next season.

Bondy noted that Knicks governor James Dolan's unwillingness to spend into the second apron of the salary cap is what will likely prevent New York from re-signing Robinson.

The 28-year-old veteran has spent his entire eight-year NBA career with the Knicks, and he became a beloved figure in the Big Apple due to his ability and willingness to do the dirty work in the paint.

For his career, the 7-footer owns averages of 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, while shooting 70.2 percent from the floor.

With the Knicks having a locked-in starting lineup, Robinson primarily came off the bench over the past couple of seasons.

In 2025-26, he started only 16 of the 60 regular-season games he appeared in, averaging 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per contest.

Robinson also played in 18 of the Knicks' 19 postseason games, averaging 4.8 points and 5.5 rebounds.

Although he wasn't necessarily at his most effective, Robinson earned plenty of respect by playing through the entire NBA Finals with a broken finger that required surgery.

Robinson is precisely the type of player the Lakers have lacked in recent years. Their issues at center were well-documented during the 2024-25 season, and they didn't get much better after adding Deandre Ayton last season.

Signing Robinson would give the Lakers a defensive grinder and a lob threat for Luka Dončić and LeBron James, should James re-sign.

While the Lakers have the makings of a potential contender in the Western Conference, it is difficult to envision a championship or even a playoff berth being in Robinson's near future if he signs with the Nets.

However, Robinson likely would get plenty of playing time in Brooklyn given that the Nets have a hole at center after trading Nicolas Claxton to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team deal that landed forward Julius Randle with the Nets.

Robinson may not be the sexiest signing in terms of putting up big numbers, but he could be among the most valuable players available in what is shaping up to be a weak free-agent class overall.