Thomas Robinson was thrown into the Arron Afflalo trade to make salaries match. The Trail Blazers wanted Afflalo, and the Nuggets wanted a first-round pick (and maybe Will Barton).
So, Robinson won’t be long for Denver.
Jeff Goodman of ESPN:
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 (@GoodmanHoops) February 20, 2015
Robinson, in the third (and final due to his fourth-year team option being declined) year of his rookie contract, is due $1,190,058 the rest of the season.
He could join a contender and provide depth during a playoff run. He could find a team that will play him a lot and set him up for his next contract. Or maybe he could even do both.
Robinson has not lived up to his billing as a No. 5 pick in the 2012 draft, but he’s not exactly a bad player. He rebounds very well, and he has size and athleticism to do more. He’s still just 23.
The Nuggets have Jusuf Nurkic and Kenneth Faried, but even if Robinson is willing to give up all his remaining salary, Denver should try developing him. Alas, surely another team will undertake that challenge – and potentially reap the rewards.