Los Angeles Lakers forward Thomas Robinson (15) drives by New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14), of Spain, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Knicks win 118-112. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Every NBA free agent in search of a new contract has a wish list of ideal scenarios he would like to fulfill with the help of his new employer. For former Kansas star Thomas Robinson, who already has played for Sacramento, Houston, Portland, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Lakers since entering the league in 2012, those cravings include landing a multi-year deal that would keep him with one franchise for more than one season.

In an extensive interview with Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype.com, Robinson said he thinks some stability would be a boon for his professional career.

“I want to be comfortable. I think
every player is looking for that. If I
have that, I feel like I can open up
my game to another level and help a
team even more,” said Robinson, who
signed with the Lakers before the
2015-16 season, and told Hoops Hype he
would like to re-sign with the
organization. “I’ve been through a lot
since I entered the league. Being in
the same place for more than one year
– with the same players, the same
coaching staff, the same system –
would only help me get better. It
would allow me to be more comfortable.
And if you let me get comfortable,
there’s no telling what you’ll get
from me.”

With career averages of 4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in 13.4 minutes a game, the 26-year-old power forward wants to do far more in the NBA than he has previously, and said he promises the team that signs him this offseason won’t be let down.

“I just want a chance,” Robinson said.
“I want to show an organization that
I’m going to be mature, work well with
the coaches, earn their confidence,
get playing time and then do the right
thing on the court when I get those
minutes.”

Although he only played in 48 games for a rebuilding Lakers team in his fifth season, the 6-foot-10 reserve said he enjoyed playing for Luke Walton, because the young coach allowed him to grow and learn from his mistakes.

Robinson made it clear there is a comfort level for him with the Lakers, but Kennedy reported the athletic big also received some free-agent interest from Minnesota (though that might have cooled with the Timberwovles signing veteran Taj Gibson).

In the past several seasons, Robinson wasn’t as effective a scorer as you might expect from a high-energy player who takes most of his shots in the paint. But he converted on a career-best .536 from the floor for the Lakers, outperforming he previous best of .485 two years earlier, when he split time with Portland and Philadelphia.

His defense, meanwhile, hasn’t been at a high enough level to inspire his coaches to play him more. However, one part of Robinson’s game that will translate every time he steps on a court is his rebounding. Looking at his per-36 minutes numbers, Robinson would have averaged 14.3 rebounds a game this past season.

“Given the opportunity, I could easily
be among the top-10 rebounders in the
league. Easily,” Robinson told Hoops
Hype. “Not only am I a better
rebounder now than I was back in the
day, I know what to do after I get the
rebound. My basketball IQ and vision
have improved, so now I realize that I
don’t need to go up immediately every
time I get an offensive rebound or try
to start a fast break on my own when I
get a defensive rebound.”

Watching Cleveland role player Tristan Thompson, Robinson added, has given him a blueprint to follow in terms of carving a niche and forcing a coach to play him by dominating the glass.

“What people love about him is he’ll
get the rebound and then immediately
look for one of his shooters or he’ll
set up a dribble hand-off. I think
that’s where I’ve improved the most –
what I do after I grab the rebound,”
Robinson said, adding he wants to have
an impact similar to Thompson while
continuing to mature and improve his
all-around game.

Up to this point, Robinson never has spent two full seasons with the same team. That could change if the Lakers re-sign him for the multi-year contract Robinson is seeking. But L.A., which recently waived another former KU big, Tarik Black, currently has four bigs under contract — Brook Lopez, Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr. and Ivica Zubac. And the Lakers drafted two more in Kyle Kuzma (Round 1, 27th pick) and Thomas Bryant (Round 2, No. 42).

A need for frontcourt depth almost always exists in the NBA. But there’s a chance Robinson might have to relocate yet again to find a team lacking in that area.

— Read much more from Robinson at Hoops Hype: Robinson looking for opportunity, stability