Los Angeles Lakers 2018 NBA Draft profile: Mitchell Robinson

Perhaps the most likely prospect to get drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, and the one we’ve been holding out on, Mitchell Robinson could be something special.

The Los Angeles Lakers, owners of the 25th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, have two glaring roster holes entering this offseason: center and shooting guard.

For a few weeks now, we have been taking a look at potential prospects that the Lakers may draft with the 25th overall pick. All of those profiles have been on guards, as the draft is top-heavy with big men and first-round bottom-heavy with guard talent.

However, there is one big man that remains a polarizing potential selection late in the first round: Mitchell Robinson. Robinson, on the surface, has the qualities of a lottery big man. Of course, though, there is a certain risk in selecting Robinson.

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Robinson is a tall, lengthy center that fits the NBA build perfectly. He is 7’1″ with a 7’4″ wingspan and a 9’3″ standing reach. While he is not bulky, Robinson has a very similar frame to Rudy Gobert, who has thrived as a premier shot blocker in the NBA.

And that is where Robinson thrives the most — being a rim protector. He is actually quite athletic for his size and can consistently get up and down the court to be a great shot blocker.

His great athleticism for his size gives him a dynamic that Gobert does not have as a tenacious lob-catching big man.

Robinson also showed good signs of footwork and a shot that can actually extend to the three-point line. But at this point, he still remains raw.

And that is why Robinson is likely going to fall this late in the draft; he has absolutely no college experience.

Robinson was suspended indefinitely by Western Kentucky University after leaving practice for a planned trip to Costa Rica. After this, Robinson was granted a transfer but was told by the NCAA that he would have to sit out his entire freshman season.

So, instead of sitting out and returning to college basketball, Robinson decided to use that time to prepare for the NBA Draft. Thus, scouts really haven’t seen any true game footage on Robinson since the McDonald’s All-American Game.

Robinson was initially going to participate in the 2018 NBA Combine but ended up not participating, leaving his draft status in question. While he shows the framework to be something special, there remain huge question marks if he is even ready for the NBA.

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If Mitchell Robinson is ready he could be one of the best prospects from this entire draft. Robinson has certain tools from every successful center in the NBA. Whether it is Gobert’s shot blocking, DeAndre Jordan‘s lob potential or DeMarcus Cousins‘ three-point shot, Robinson could be an entirely need breed of center for the Los Angeles Lakers.

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