The Los Angeles Lakers recently executed one of the most significant trades in NBA history, acquiring Luka Dončić in a game-changing move. However, despite the magnitude of this deal, their work is far from finished.

In trading Anthony Davis to Dallas, the Lakers not only parted ways with a second star for LeBron James but also lost their defensive leader, a top-tier rim protector, and the cornerstone of their defense. Now that Dončić is in the fold, the Lakers’ attention is shifting to filling the enormous gap left in the frontcourt.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, the Lakers have shown interest in acquiring New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. On paper, Robinson is exactly what they need: a 7-foot-1 defensive powerhouse, a top-notch shot-blocker, and a dominant rebounder. He’s the type of player who doesn’t require offensive touches to make an impact—he excels at protecting the paint, altering shots, and controlling the boards. At just 26 years old, Robinson fits into the Lakers’ new long-term vision alongside Dončić.

However, there’s one significant concern: injuries.

Robinson has yet to play this season due to recovery from foot surgery. Even before this setback, his injury history has been problematic. Since entering the league in 2018, he has only surpassed 70 games in a season once. For a Lakers team that parted ways with Davis partly due to his availability issues, the prospect of acquiring another injury-prone big man is a risky move.

The Lakers find themselves in a challenging position. They need a defensive presence, but they can’t afford to go all-in on a center who may not fit or stay healthy. Prior to the Dončić trade, the Lakers had two first-round picks to work with, but now they only have one. With limited flexibility, they must be very cautious in how they allocate their remaining resources.

This isn’t about abandoning the season—in fact, acquiring Dončić extends their championship window for years to come. But the front office isn’t panicking and overpaying for a quick fix. If they make a move before Thursday’s trade deadline, it will be a calculated decision.

The Lakers are set to acquire a center, but the real question remains: who will it be, and what will the cost be?