NBA Reporter Claims Lakers Offering Mitchell Robinson Long-Term Deal With $15M Annual Salary is a “Bad Idea”

After reports emerged that the Los Angeles Lakers are planning to offer Mitchell Robinson a long-term contract with an annual salary of roughly $15 million, CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn opposed the notion. Quinn believes it’s a “bad idea” unless Los Angeles views Robinson as a backup center.

The Lakers have limited resources, and if they invest in Robinson at that price, given his injury history, it might impact their flexibility.

“I just continue to believe this is a bad idea for the Lakers unless they’re getting him to be a backup,” Quinn wrote on X on Friday, reacting to insider Brett Siegel’s report. “You cannot rely on Mitch to handle a starter’s workload. They have such limited resources and would need so much more from him than the Knicks did.”

Since the 2022-23 season, Robinson has struggled with multiple injury issues. He played 59 games that year, 31 in the 2023-24 season and 17 in the 2024-25 season. Robinson revived himself by playing 60 games last year. However, he averaged a career-low 19.6 minutes per game.

The Knicks had All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns as their primary option at five. The Lakers don’t have one, and if Robinson is their best acquisition in that position, it’s a risky move. Robinson’s body handled 60 games after logging fewer than 20 minutes a night, which is way less than what a starter would average on a contender.

Moreover, Robinson’s role with New York was also limited. He attempted only 3.4 shots per game. With the Lakers, that would naturally increase with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and potentially LeBron James running the offense.

Mitchell Robinson might be the best and most realistic option for the Lakers

Despite the issues with Mitchell Robinson, he remains one of the best and most realistic options for the Lakers this summer. Other targets like Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren might be out of their reach due to a lack of assets and contracts to trade. They are also restricted free agents, so their respective teams will hold leverage.

Not many teams have the cap room to sign Robinson and retain flexibility. The Lakers are among the few contenders who do. Robinson might also prefer another big-market team after a successful stint in New York, and there’s no better opportunity for him to don the Purple and Gold.

If the Lakers are willing to offer a long-term deal at $15 million annually, as Brett Siegel’s report says, it’s almost a no-brainer for the veteran center to choose Los Angeles. 

Read more:

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