Lakers Linked to Defensive-Minded Centers in NBA Free Agency

With only a handful of players under contract for next season to play alongside superstar guard Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers' brass will have some work to do during the NBA offseason to put together a competitive roster.

Although the team will almost certainly try to acquire Milwaukee Bucks superstar big man Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade, the team will be armed with a lot of cap space to work with in NBA free agency, with some intriguing options to explore.

According to ESPN's Kevin Pelton, Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III might be options in free agency at the center position.

Lakers Could Pursue Some Options at Center in Free Agency

Mitchell Robinson New York Knicks — Jan 9, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) defends against Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The unrestricted free agent market seems most likely to yield a center, with Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks and Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers realistic possibilities.

The glaring issue with these two veteran centers is that they are not the most durable players and are often limited in minutes and games played, which is obviously not ideal for a team with title aspirations.

Even though Robinson has played 38 games so far this season for the New York Knicks, he played a combined 48 games over the past two seasons. Williams has also played more games (37) than usual for the Portland Trail Blazers this season, but has only played a total of 61 regular-season games over the past three seasons.

If Deandre Ayton opts into his player option with the Lakers for the 2026-27 campaign, Williams or Robinson would be decent options off the bench, but if they are brought in to be starters, that's a step in the wrong direction for Los Angeles.

Lakers May Target Nuggets' Peyton Watson

Peyton Watson Denver Nuggets Rui Hachimura — Apr 20, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the first quarter in game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-Imagn Images | Andrew Wevers-Imagn Images

Another option in free agency this summer, and possibly the best available, is Denver Nuggets rising star Peyton Watson. He'll be a restricted free agent, which complicates things, but Pelton believes a sign-and-trade scenario could be something the Lakers explore, especially given the Nuggets' difficult tax situation during the offseason.

Watson would be an ideal addition for the Lakers and could be the 3-and-D wing to help with the team's current issues on both ends of the floor. He's a Los Angeles native who played at UCLA and is still very young, turning 24 before the start of next season, which makes him a solid option to help build around Doncic and Austin Reaves moving forward.