Lakers' Title Hopes Hinge on Mitchell Robinson Contract Amid NBA Free Agency Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers have spent the last few seasons badly in need of a quality big man who can hold down the center position and be a dominant force at the rim.

Jake Fischer reported for the Stein Line that, "The Lakers, amid a growing pessimism that the Knicks will be able to hang onto [Mitchell] Robinson, are also regarded as a likely suitor for the New York big man once free agency officially begins," (h/t Silver Screen and Roll).

Robinson is the perfect addition to a Lakers team that needs to be tougher around the basket.

Averaging just 5.7 points in 60 games, he is not much of an offensive threat, but he does not have to be, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves leading the way. What he brings is a dominance in the paint that the Lakers have not consistently had in years.

He is a phenomenal rebounder and excels at the put-back, finishing the season shooting 72.3 percent from the floor, his highest since 2020-21.

While he has not been a full-time starter since the 2022-23 season, he knows what it takes to be one. Expected to fetch a considerable payday this offseason, it would likely be expected that he would fill that role. If not, he proved to be an extraordinary asset to the new NBA champions coming off the bench.

The Lakers attempted to fill the void with Deandre Ayton this past season, but inconsistency ran wild, resulting in a performance disappointing enough that Tim McMenamin of ESPN reported the team may have to trade him if he exercises his player option.

McMenamin also noted that Doncic's camp told the Lakers to get him an "A-list center." With that order from the team's centerpiece, there will need to be some urgency from the front desk to make it happen.

Signing Robinson this offseason would do just that.