Brooklyn Nets forward Thomas Robinson will reportedly opt out of the last year of his contract, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The power forward averaged 4.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in his one season with the Nets. His per-36 minutes were much more amicable, sitting at 12.1 points and 14.1 rebounds.
Robinson has bounced around the league quite a bit despite only being 25 years old. He has established a reputation as an energetic and athletic big-man off the bench who is very well-versed in the rebounding department but does not contribute much else.
While he will not be among the first or second waves of free agents that teams are targeting, opting out of his one-million-dollar deal seems smart as he will likely be able to net a larger deal in free agency with the impending cap rise.
Among teams that could be interested, according to the Express-News, are the San Antonio Spurs. Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich has mentioned the need to add youth and athleticism and Robinson would provide that at a position where the Spurs are both old and unathletic.
Robinson also has ties to two important Spurs. He played alongside LaMarcus Aldridge in Portland for a year and a half. Additionally, he played at Kansas, where Spurs GM R.C. Buford coached under Larry Drew (although not at the same time).
Thomas Robinson will likely be pursued by several teams needing depth at the power forward position while also wanting to add youth and athleticism to their rosters. He may not get a huge payday but he should bea somewhat highly-coveted player in free agency by the Spurs as well as by other teams around the league, if he does indeed choose to walk away from the Nets.
