Instant Trade Analysis: Thomas Robinson to the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets get: PF Thomas Robinson, G/F Francisco Garcia, F Tyler Honeycutt, 2nd Round Pick (via Phoenix)
Sacramento Kings get: PF Patrick Patterson, C Cole Aldrich, PG Toney Douglas, $1 million
Phoenix Suns get: F Marcus Morris
The Rockets, Kings and Suns made the first deal of the NBA trade deadline week tonight, with a seven-man pact that would send 2012’s fifth overall pick Robinson to Houston. In exchange, the Kings receive Patterson and two fringe role players in Aldrich and Douglas. In an adjacent deal, the Rockets moved Marcus Morris to Phoenix (where his twin brother Markieff plays) for the price of a 2nd rounder.
The biggest prize in this deal is of course Robinson, a bulky power forward from Kansas that was the a high pick just eight months ago. In many pre-draft charts, many prognosticators had the former Jayhawk going anywhere from second overall to Charlotte to seventh. Regardless, Robinson was considered a blue chip prospect, who’s powerful frame and rebounding prowess would make him a borderline All-Star for years to come. Draft Express had comparisons of him from Al Horford and the offensively limited rebounding savant Reggie Evans.
However, unlike fellow first rounders Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Harrison Barnes, Andre Drummond and Bradley Beal, Robinson hasn’t been able to count on consistent minutes from the Kings. This month alone, he’s played as many as 26 minutes, as little as none and everywhere in between. He’s averaged almost 5 points and 5 rebounds in 51 games this year, but truly, he’s a 21 year-old rookie who’s trying to find his way in a franchise that’s soon to be moved with a coaching staff that hasn’t proved capable of developing young players. Robinson has been stuck on a team with mismatched parts, few ball distributors and a crowded front court rotation. It’s been far from an ideal situation for Robinson. On the flip side, one has to wonder why the Kings were so eager to give up on such a highly touted youngster after such a short amount of time.… Read more...