The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers lead the NBA in cap space entering NBA free agency. Both teams need a center as they look to revamp their rotations heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Fresh off a New York Knicks championship, free agent big man Mitchell Robinson is expected to be a target for both teams, according to Marc Stein.
“The Stein Line has learned that the Nets have legitimate interest in trying to sign big man Mitchell Robinson away from the team across the East River that just won its first NBA championship in more than 50 years,” Stein wrote. “The Nets were overhyped as a potential [Austin] Reaves suitor, but they appear intent on putting a credible team on the floor next season after unreservedly tanking this past season and winding up with the No. 6 pick in May’s draft lottery. Trying to sign Robinson away from the Knicks, whose owner James Dolan has been openly fearful of the NBA luxury tax system’s second apron in the wake of his team’s title run, would certainly generate some back-page headlines in Gotham.
The Lakers, amid a growing pessimism that the Knicks will be able to hang onto Robinson, are also regarded as a likely suitor for the New York big man once free agency officially begins.”
Robinson has carved out a key role across eight seasons with the Knicks after they selected him 36th overall in 2018.
Will Mitchell Robinson sign with Nets or Lakers following Knicks championship?
However, multiple Knicks insiders expect Robinson to be a cap casualty this summer, with James Dolan adamant that New York will not spend into the second apron following its championship run.
“If we could bring back the whole team exactly as it is, why wouldn’t you? But I don’t know if we’re going to be able to. Just contractually,” Dolan recently said on WFAN. “We’re willing to stretch, but there’s certain things in the NBA that you’d have to be suicidal to do. And we’re not going to do those. One of them is called the second apron. Cannot go into the second apron. But that’s up to Leon [Rose]. I’m just telling him how big of a check I can write. I’ll write as big of a check as possible, but I can’t write a check that goes into the second apron.”
The Knicks don’t have enough space below the second apron to re-sign Robnsinon, unless he gives them a significant hometown discount.
Meanwhile, the Lakers can open up over $50 million in cap space if they renounce the rights to LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes. Even after acquiring Julius Randle, the Nets can spend $46 million in cap space and then complete the trade as an over-the-cap team on July 6.
The Lakers need a center upgrade who can serve as a lob threat for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves while anchoring the defensive boards. Robinson checks both of those boxes. Meanwhile, the Nets have a hole in the middle after trading Nic Claxton to acquire Randle.
Robinson could also field offers from numerous contenders who have access to the $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
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