Lakers-Knicks uneven trade idea would send young center to Los Angeles
Context:
A proposed NBA trade idea suggests the Los Angeles Lakers could acquire center Mitchell Robinson from the New York Knicks in exchange for Jarred Vanderbilt and draft picks. Robinson, a skilled 7-footer known for his defensive capabilities and rebounding, would complement Lakers stars like LeBron James by providing size and rim protection. However, the trade may not appeal to the Knicks, who might find better offers elsewhere, as Vanderbilt lacks significant shooting prowess and New York's bench depth requires more versatility. The trade would include a first-round pick swap, but this is less enticing given the Lakers' likely solid performance next season. Overall, while Robinson's addition could benefit the Lakers, the deal is unlikely to be favorable enough for the Knicks to agree.
Dive Deeper:
The trade proposition involves the Los Angeles Lakers receiving center Mitchell Robinson from the New York Knicks, while the Knicks would acquire Jarred Vanderbilt, a 2025 second-rounder, and a 2026 first-round pick swap.
Mitchell Robinson, at 7 feet tall, is recognized for his role specialization, particularly in defensive rebounding and blocking, averaging 2.7 blocks per 36 minutes over his career.
Robinson's value to the Knicks has diminished with the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns, resulting in his transition from a starting role to the bench.
Jarred Vanderbilt, while offering defensive versatility, has limited outside shooting ability, with a career three-point shooting percentage of 28.8%, which does not significantly bolster the Knicks' bench.
The Knicks gain a potential first-round pick swap and a second-round pick, but currently only hold the 50th overall pick in the upcoming draft, making trade offers with greater immediate impact potentially more attractive.
The Lakers' likely strong performance next season reduces the allure of the first-round pick swap for the Knicks.
The trade lacks sufficient appeal for the Knicks, who may seek a package offering more immediate and substantial benefits for Robinson, thus making the deal unlikely to proceed.
The Los Angeles Lakers might try to pry away a center from the New York Knicks this summer, but would LA have any luck doing so?
On Tuesday, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz proposed a deal between the Knicks and Lakers.
The Trade
Lakers receive…
- Mitchell Robinson
- Jarred Vanderbilt
- 2025 second-rounder
- 2026 first-round pick swap
“The Lakers don't need an All-Star center, but rather just someone with size who can protect the rim and be a vertical lob threat for Luka Dončić and LeBron James to find,” Swartz wrote.
“Robinson, 27, is a true 7-footer who knows his role and plays it well. He does a good job of cleaning the offensive glass and has blocked 2.7 shots per 36 minutes in his seven-year career.”
“The addition of Karl-Anthony Towns has meant a full-time move to the bench for Robinson, who previously started 170 of his 193 games the past four years. He isn't nearly as valuable to this new-look group as he was alongside Julius Randle and Co.”
“Vanderbilt, 26, is a more versatile defender who can play and guard multiple positions and brings an outside shooting threat that Robinson doesn't. For a Knicks bench that isn't very deep, this kind of versatility is important.”
“New York also gets the right to swap first-round picks with the Lakers next season and collects their second-rounder in next month's draft. The Knicks currently have just one pick (No. 50 overall) in the entire draft.”
Swartz’s idea of Robinson on the Lakers isn’t a bad one, but this trade doesn’t make sense for the Knicks, who could find a better package than Vanderbilt and picks for Robinson on the summer market.
Also, Swartz’s characterization of Vanderbilt as an outside shooter is way off. Vanderbilt is a career 28.8 percent three-point shooter, and he was slightly worse at 28.1 percent from downtown this season.
The first-round pick swap would be intriguing if the Lakers were likely to have a bad record next season, but that isn’t the case.
If the Lakers tried to make this deal happen, New York wouldn’t bite.
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