Who would’ve known that a man who was the 5th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft would become an NBA journeyman by his third season in the NBA.
That’s just the case for Thomas Robinson.
The former Kansas Jayhawks star is currently on his fourth team in only his third NBA season and for some reason, he just can’t stick around in the NBA with one team.
Now the Denver Nuggets, who recently acquired him in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, are finalizing a buyout after he just didn’t fit their system and Robinson may be on his way to his fifth team in only his third NBA season.
From ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.
Thomas Robinson verbally agrees to buyout w/Nuggets, source told ESPN. Robinson in search of expanded role. Wasn't going to happen in Denver
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) February 20, 2015
Thomas Robinson has had discussions with the Spurs, Nets, Suns, Heat and Hornets, completing DEN buyout Sunday, league sources tell RealGM.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 22, 2015
Robinson is known for his hustling on the offensive boards and getting nice put-backs. He uses his athleticism to gain position and play above the rim at his position of power forward. His field goal percentage has increased each of his three seasons, though he hasn’t expanded his range to the 3-point line, he has stretched out and improved his mid-range game.
He’s not nearly the stretch-4 the Miami Heat are seeking after the loss of Chris Bosh for the season, but he may be the best option with the most upside on a thin market that might have the Heat considering Michael Beasley. The Heat still have the $2.65 million disabled player exception available, due to the injury of Josh McRoberts, which expires March 10. Miami makes the most sense for Robinson.
The San Antonio Spurs may help develop his game a lot more learning under coach Popovich and Tim Duncan to further progress his mid-range game and help him learn how to be more tenacious inside. Suns, Nets and Hornets could use him, but not with much minutes being handed out as all of those teams are pretty solid at the power forward position.
Robinson was averaging 3.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game for Portland.
