Mitchell Robinson leaves New York for Boston to strengthen the Celtics. The Lakers, in a frenetic hour, add Kessler, Sexton, Mamukelashvili and Grimes to build around Doncic and Reaves in their title race.
Mitchell Robinson, defensive champion and ring in hand, leaves the Knicks to join the Celtics, reinforcing his aspiration in the East. 8%). His arrival closes a summer where the Celtics already added Jrue Holiday and Oshae Brissett, consolidating their defensive block to compete with Milwaukee and Philadelphia.
Robinson, a restricted free agent, exercised his option to leave and Boston responded with an offer that the Knicks did not match, leaving New York without its interior wall. Meanwhile, the Lakers unleashed an hour of madness in the market: Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes arrived as a block to surround Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. 8 per game in Utah), and Sexton, recovered from injuries with averages of 16 points in Cleveland, arrive as key pieces in a short-term project.
Mamukelashvili and Grimes bring offensive and defensive versatility, respectively, in a risky bid to maximize Doncic's performance before his contract expires in 2026. The NBA had not seen such a frenzy in a single day. The Athletic's Shams Charania confirmed the moves in less than 60 minutes, reflecting the market's record speed.
Rob Pelinka, GM of the Lakers, justified the move: "We want to be immediate contenders. " The Celtics gain a defensive titan who fits their pressure scheme. The Lakers, on the other hand, are betting heavily on Doncic, but with four signings in half an hour and an uncertain future beyond 2026, the risk is high.
The East is strengthened in defense; the West, on attack. The NBA already smells like war. This race contrasts with the philosophy of teams that bet on patience.
The Celtics, after years of rebuilding, now prioritize short windows with players like Robinson, Holiday and Brown. Their model, based on the acquisition of defensive pieces and shooters, allowed them to reach the Finals last year. On the other hand, the Lakers, with an aging roster and a core around Doncic that has already had five seasons, cannot afford to wait.
Pelinka's bet is clear: surround the Slovenian with young and cheap talent to keep him happy and competitive, even if that means sacrificing cohesion and defined roles. The market also exposes the weaknesses of other teams. The Knicks, by losing Robinson for nothing in return, show that their youth development strategy has not paid off in the paint.
Meanwhile, in the West, Oklahoma City and Denver are watching cautiously: if the Lakers can get Doncic and Reaves to work in synergy with Kessler and Sexton, the balance of power in the conference will radically change. The NBA, accustomed to seeing the Lakers as a historical giant, now sees them as an "all or nothing" team, with little room for error. Robinson's arrival in Boston and the Lakers' signing block are not isolated movements, but rather the reflection of a league that accelerates its pace of decisions.
Teams that don't act with the same urgency are left behind, like the Knicks, who lost their best defender without compensation. In the East, the Celtics gain muscle; In the West, the Lakers are betting on controlled chaos. The result could redefine the NBA's power map before the regular season ends. Read at Marca NBA
The NBA accelerates its pace of signings like never before. Mitchell Robinson reinforces the Celtics in their fight for the East, while the Lakers bet everything on Luka Doncic with four additions in less than an hour. Two opposing strategies: Boston consolidates its defense; Los Angeles prioritizes the attack around its star. The market reflects the urgency of teams to adapt to the post-Doncic era, where each move can define the future of a franchise.
Marca NBAmarca.comBy ÁLVARO BLANCO1 Jul, 17:23es
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