The ever-shifting roster of marginal NBA talent that we know as the Philadelphia 76ers has become a safe haven and a land of second opportunities for young players whose professional careers haven’t jumped out to the most ideal start.
This trend continues as we enter the final quarter of the season with Thomas Robinson, the former No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, being claimed by General Manager Sam Hinkie’s Sixers just prior to Tuesday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline.
The news was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
The 76ers have placed a claim on Thomas Robinson, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. He'll belong to Philadelphia at 5 PM ET.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 24, 2015
Philadelphia was able to get their hands on Robinson after he was waived by the Denver Nuggets prior to the trade deadline.
The Sixers’ acquisition of Robinson came as one that was seemingly an act of trying to reach the NBA’s salary floor, although, as Woj detailed in his column, Philadelphia’s initial plan is to keep Robinson around for the time being and see what he could potentially bring to a young, rebuilding team.
"The Sixers needed the sum of Robinson’s remaining salary to honor the obligations of the collective bargaining agreement that dictate a team needs to reach within 90 percent of the NBA’s salary floor before season’s end – or pay out that shortfall amount equally among the rest of the players on the roster."
Robinson’s $3,678,360 salary was just over what the Sixers needed to cross the salary floor.
"The Sixers can use Robinson to reach the salary then waive him again. Nevertheless, their initial plan is to keep Robinson and take a look at him in the short-term, league sources told Yahoo Sports."
This seems to be a perfect fit for the Sixers and Robinson alike, at least for the remainder of the season until Robinson becomes a free agent. Stints in Houston, Sacramento and Portland are all now on Robinson’s resume, but the former lottery pick hasn’t really been able to find his niche within a system to this point and find consistent minutes and freedom.
This limited opportunity has led to disappointing career averages of 13.5 minutes, 4.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
More from Philadelphia 76ers
- That escalated quickly: How the Harden-Morey situation intensified
- 3 NBA superstars with legacies on the line heading into 2023–24
- Ranking the 4 riskiest boom-or-bust NBA teams in 2023–24
- NBA Rumors: Stalled trade talks may lead to Blazers, 76ers keeping stars
- NBA Trades: This Blazers, Heat, 76ers, and Clippers swap would alter NBA
With the Sixers, even if it’s for the final 26 games of the season and nothing more, Robinson should find an exceptional opportunity to begin turning his young career around. He’s limited and raw offensively, but Robinson competes, plays tough, physical defense and lets his passion radiate when he’s on the court.
In Philly, that’s all that’s needed to find some quality minutes on a young team that’s building for the future and has plenty of room for roster flexibility and experimentation with potential pieces for the time being.
Robinson is a tremendous physical talent, but has lacked the full ability to turn that into basketball production early on in his career, but that will fit in right with the guys he’ll be competing for minutes with, as the unpolished rookie Nerlens Noel headlines a frontcourt that includes Henry Sims, Furkan Aldemir and the recently added JaVale McGee.
If there were ever a perfect time for Robinson to turn his career around and start fresh, it would seemingly be now with the Sixers.
Next: 50 Greatest NBA Players Of The 1970s
More from Hoops Habit
- The 5 most dominant NBA players who never won a championship
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout