The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to enter free agency with their sights set on New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, according to league insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer. The 28-year-old big man will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and New York’s reluctance to exceed the NBA’s second tax apron could make it difficult for the Knicks to retain him.
Stein and Fischer indicated that Los Angeles is viewed around the league as a “likely suitor” for Robinson should he reach the open market. The Lakers have been linked to the 7-foot center in previous off-seasons, and interest has intensified as the franchise looks to strengthen its frontcourt behind Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes.
Fit and Risk Factors
On the court, Robinson offers the profile Los Angeles is seeking: rim protection, elite rebounding and vertical spacing as a lob target. He averaged fewer than 20 minutes per game during the 2025-26 regular season with the Knicks and logged under 14 minutes per contest in the playoffs.
Durability and free-throw shooting remain concerns. Robinson has surpassed the 60-game mark only once in the last six seasons, and his career free-throw percentage stands at 50.8%, limiting late-game availability when opponents are in the bonus. The report notes that a modest contract would make sense for a reserve role, while a salary in the $15–$20 million range could pose a significant gamble for Los Angeles if he is expected to start.
Exploratory Call on Yves Missi
The Lakers have also contacted the New Orleans Pelicans about 22-year-old center Yves Missi, sources told Stein and Fischer. Missi, entering his third NBA season, has slipped out of the Pelicans’ regular rotation following the club’s 2025 draft-night acquisition of rookie center Derik Queen. Whether discussions between Los Angeles and New Orleans progress remains to be seen.
Los Angeles is seeking ways to upgrade its interior depth as it attempts to rejoin the Western Conference’s elite next season.
Source: Lakers Nation
