The Los Angeles Lakers were prepared to pursue free agent center Mitchell Robinson if they were unsuccessful in their pursuit of Walker Kessler, according to team and league sources. Robinson instead left the New York Knicks to sign a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Boston Celtics soon after the Lakers came to terms with Kessler.

The Lakers committed heavily to Kessler with a four-year, $130 million deal along with two unprotected first-round picks and two unprotected first-round pick swaps. Kessler played just five games last season and 58 the year before, availability numbers partly shaped by Utah's conservative approach to injuries while pursuing favorable draft positioning. That history has drawn skepticism from rival evaluators.

"He better be good," said one Western Conference scout, speaking under condition of anonymity to discuss team strategy.

The Lakers later signed Kevon Looney to a one-year, $3.9 million deal as Kessler's backup.