Thomas

Robinson

Rudy Gay and Dante Cunningham are bound for free agency and Pau Gasol is no longer around, so the Spurs do have a need for a big man. Robinson will have the opportunity to make his case for a camp invite at Summer League, but there are no guarantees the former No. 5 overall selection will earn a spot on the regular-season roster.

Robinson, who played for BC Khimki in Russia in 2017-18, will likely head back overseas this season.

Thomas, 21, has an NBA body right now at a chiseled 6'9/237. He led the Jayhawks to the title game by averaging 17.9 points, 11.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game this past season. While his mid-range game needs work, Robinson is widely projected as a top-5 pick thanks to his rebounding, defense and athleticism.

All three players are possibilities to be selected by Washington with its No. 3 overall pick. Robinson will work out Tuesday, Beal on Thursday and MKG on Friday. It would be a surprise if one of these three players is not Washington’s selection on draft day.

"(Smart was) just telling me to learn who I am as a player and using my strongest points to the max,” Robinson said. "… Not let my speed hurt me.” Robinson has been pressing a bit during summer league, but he should be just fine and is worth nabbing in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.

Robinson has already gone on the record stating his interest in playing for Washington, and the Wizards will give him a long look with the No. 3 pick if he’s still on the board. He averaged 17.7 points and 11.9 rebounds on his way to 27 double-double’s at Kansas last season. The Wizards also have both Florida’s Bradley Beal and Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on their radar.

Washington holds the third overall pick in the June draft, and it’s a distinct possibility that Robinson will be available. “That’s where I started my dream at, in D.C.,” Robinson said. “And to be able to come back home would mean a lot to me,” he added. Robinson is projected to be a top five pick on draft day.

He’ll join a somewhat crowded front court in Sacramento, is a big-time rebounder and should get plenty of rookie minutes despite the crowd. He’s also a disaster from the free throw line, although he did improve to 68% there last season. And if he lives up to the hype, he might be better than Jason Thompson and Chuck Hayes right off the bat. He’ll be worth targeting in the later round of fantasy drafts by owners in need of rebounds. He’s also going to be the feel-good story of this draft.

“He’s got to let the game come to him,” said English. If the shot’s not there, move it, swing it, go set a screen.” “I like that he’s active, he’s aggressive, and he’s trying.” English also reiterated that Robinson has to work on his post game at both ends of the floor, but Robinson said it’s the “pace of the game” that’s been impacting him the most to date. We think Robinson will be just fine, but he’s clearly got some work to do.

This is fueling speculation that the Bobcats are shopping the No. 2 pick, along with the fact they have met with several players who look like mid-first round picks, including Carolina’s Tyler Zeller. Robinson has spoken to the Wizards, who hold the No. 3 pick. On a side note, Robinson measured just 6-foot-8, which is on the small side for an NBA power forward, making him a ‘tweener.’