As the Los Angeles Lakers look to acquire an impact center this summer, it's worth reviewing that multiple names have surfaced and resurfaced. Jazz big man Walker Kessler keeps popping up, but prying him out of Utah would be a complicated ordeal for LA.
New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi is another name to watch for the Lakers (on the trade market). Then there's Mitchell Robinson (New York Knicks) and Robert Williams III (Portland Trail Blazers) on the free-agent market. In previous articles, I've warned against acquiring either player due to their respective injury histories. And, well ... it turns out neither player will be very available, a development that should relieve Lakers fans.
Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III are tied closely to their current teams
According to the latest intel from NBA insider Jake Fischer, Robinson and Williams III are satisfied with their current situations.
"The Lakers have been linked to all sorts of veteran big men in the forthcoming free agent market as well," Fischer wrote. "They could emerge as a suitor for the Knicks' Mitchell Robinson and the Trail Blazers' Robert Williams III, although sources say both players are very open to remaining in their incumbent roles with the Knicks and Blazers."
Lakers should count their lucky stars if Mitchell Robinson remains with the Knicks
Even if you're going to ignore Robinson's massive injury risk, he isn't a good fit with the Lakers because they don't already have a starting center. Robinson thrives with the Knicks in a backup role. With Karl-Anthony Towns holding down the starting spot, Robinson doesn't carry the burden of a huge responsibility and is thus free to come off the bench and specialize as an epic rebounder.
The Lakers need more than a bench specialist at the center position. Acquiring Robinson would be a mistake, which is why his inevitable return to the Knicks is good news.
Robert Williams III comes with too many risks for Lakers, as well
If LA were to go out and snag Williams, they'd be one awkward landing from the bouncy center away from having to start Deandre Ayton. This would place the Lakers right back where they were in 2025-26, which was not a favorable spot when it comes to big man play.
The Lakers need a center who is durable, not someone like Williams, who has only logged one nearly full season of games played in his entire career.
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