The “early talk” in Los Angeles is that the Lakers are willing to offer Mitchell Robinson a long-term contract for around the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. The Nets are also viewed as a suitor for the veteran Knicks center, who’s an unrestricted free agent.
If the Knicks don’t re-sign Robinson due to owner James Dolan‘s second apron concerns, Nick Richards and Kevon Looney have been floated as possible low-cost replacements in the middle, according to Siegel.
As Siegel writes, Richards’ agent (Max Saidman of CAA) also represents Jose Alvarado and has a “great working relationship” with president Leon Rose and the team’s front office, while Looney has ties to head coach Mike Brown, as recently noted by Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Here’s more from Siegel’s latest rumor round-up:
Siegel confirms the Pistons and Jalen Duren are far apart in contract talks, citing sources who say the 22-year-old center is seeking a maximum-salary contract but the team hasn’t come close to making that type of commitment to this point. Siegel also confirms Detroit is not expected to consider sign-and-trade possibilities for the restricted free agent big man and wants to retain him.
While the Lakers have expressed past interest in Duren, they’re not expected to do so this summer, according to Siegel’s sources. Los Angeles would, however, be interested in trading for Naz Reid, but Siegel hears the Hornets haven’t signaled they plan to move Reid after agreeing to acquire him in the Lonzo Ball trade with the Timberwolves. As an aside, Siegel says Charlotte is “very open” to dealing away Miles Bridges, who is said to be on the trade block.
Daniel Gafford of the Mavericks is another center the Lakers have been linked to. Sources tell ClutchPoints that Dallas appeared open to moving Gafford earlier this week if it could have acquired a second top-20 pick (the Mavs drafted Morez Johnson ninth overall), but it’s unclear what the team’s plans are for him now.
The Bulls and Spurs are among the potential suitors for free agent forward John Collins, according to Siegel, who says he wouldn’t be surprised to see the Sixers join that group as well. Siegel also suggests Philadelphia could hold interest in Dean Wade, another unrestricted free agent.
The Clippers are not trying to trade forward Kawhi Leonard, league sources tell Siegel, but the team wouldn’t shut down inquiries regarding the seven-time All-Star, who turns 35 years old on Monday. According to Siegel, the Warriors, Timberwolves and Pistons have all talked to the Clips about Leonard ahead of the February trade deadline and this offseason. However, those talks didn’t go anywhere, and Siegel hears Los Angeles never indicated it wanted to move Leonard.