Dallas Mavericks: 5 cheap options in 2017 NBA free agency
By Simon Smith
4. Thomas Robinson
Like Williams, Robinson is already a journeyman, with his stop last season with the Los Angeles Lakers being his sixth team in five seasons. The No. 5 overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, Robinson has never spent longer than two seasons in the same spot, a far cry from the high expectations he had coming out of the University of Kansas.
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In the new area of pace-and-space, Robinson’s inability to shoot from the perimeter has significantly affected his ability to impact the game. Last season alone, 85.2 percent of Robinson’s total field goal attempts for the season were taken within nine feet of the basket. Breaking that down further, 71.9 percent were taken within five feet of the rim. Of those shots he took from greater than nine feet from the rim, Robinson converted at just a 17.2 percent clip.
Overall, Robinson averaged 5.0 points and 4.6 rebounds in just 11.6 minutes per game. Although listed as a power forward, Robinson would now clearly be more suited to the center position in the modern game. At 6’10” and possessing supreme athleticism, there is no reason Robinson cannot carve out as a niche as a rim-running big.
Over his 313 career games, Robinson’s has averaged just 13.4 minutes per game. But one stage where he was given an extended run came during his time with the Brooklyn Nets. In a six-game span, Robinson averaged 15.3 points and 13.0 rebounds in 28.4 minutes per game.
His most impressive performance this season was a 16-point, nine-rebound effort in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
With Noel a mere formality to return, Robinson would provide a tremendous amount of hustle and energy of the bench. Considering his age and upside, this would certainly represent a low-risk, high-reward move by the Mavericks.