Toronto Raptors: Evaluating Thomas Robinson vs. Christian Wood

The verdict

Neither Thomas Robinson nor Christian Wood will evoke a standing ovation from the Toronto faithful. Despite his limitations (and in spite of his potential price tag), Greg Monroe would be the more popular pick for a depth signing.

There’s a case to be made that Robinson’s NBA experience warrants the roster slot. The Raptors are a team that wants to win now, while they have Kawhi Leonard in the fold. By this time next year, a championship window north of the border may be closed.

Yet the same argument works inversely. Robinson is a known commodity, someone who could never really put his talent together in a manner that made him proficient in the NBA.

Wood is young, with the potential to develop into a real rotational piece down the road. The possibility that he’s better than Robinson right now exists. The G League is arguably less prestigious than the EuroLeague, but Wood dominated the NBA’s minors before dominating again over the course of the summer against some NBA-level competition.

Wood is also capable of knocking down an occasional 3-pointer here and there, which would help the Raptors stretch the floor while Serge Ibaka is on the bench.

Ultimately, in a battle between two, the roster spot should go to Christian Wood.