Rockets trying to trade Thomas Robinson to free up cap space for run at D12

[crownontherocks]

The Houston Rockets are determined to trade forward Thomas Robinson – the fifth pick in the 2012 NBA draft – to create salary-cap space for the pursuit of Los Angeles Lakers' free-agent superstar Dwight Howard, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Rockets have made clear to multiple rival teams that they plan to accept the best offer to move Robinson and eliminate his $3.52 million salary for the 2013-14 season.
Without Robinson's salary, the Rockets will have the space to offer Howard a maximum deal starting at approximately $20.5 million a season.

Houston is competing mainly with Dallas – and possibly Golden State – to lure Howard once free agency commences on July 1. Howard has become increasingly intrigued with the Rockets as a possible destination, sources said. Houston's supporting cast, including James Harden and Chandler Parsons, is one of the reasons.

The Rockets are targeting teams with the cap space to absorb Robinson's contract. The Rockets are trying to cobble together a package that could include assets such as a trade exception, a draft pick or non-guaranteed contracts that they can be unloaded, sources said.
The Rockets are the second team to give up on Robinson since he came out of Kansas considered one of the most prepared prospects in the class. Robinson, a 6-foot-10 forward, struggled to earn time on the lowly Kings and never showed the Rockets the promise that led them to trade for him in February.

Robinson, 22, averaged 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds playing a combined 70 games for the Rockets and Kings. Sacramento traded him to Houston in a package that included Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt for Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich, Toney Douglas and cash.

Wojo

[Atzar]

Why does nobody want this kid?  Is he an off-court problem?

I thought he was a more valuable asset than this. 

[Who]

I think he'll net them a first round pick. Possibly a mid first rounder. A late first at worst.

[Celtics4ever]

He is worth a look.  I would trade PP for him and Chandler in a heartbeat but albeit with sadness.  Not that they would but it would help McHale get Dwight and  help us get younger.  But no way they do it.

[hpantazo]

We should be all over this. A talented young big man for cap space. just what we need.

[Atzar]

He is worth a look.  I would trade PP for him and Chandler in a heartbeat but albeit with sadness.  Not that they would but it would help McHale get Dwight and  help us get younger.  But no way they do it.

Nah, I'd be shocked if they moved Parsons.  That production at that salary figure is an insane steal. 

[rondohondo]

give them # 16 ,future 2nd rounder and Randolph and Twill(both non guaranteed) for Thomas

Thomas is likely better than anyone we could draft at #16.

[CelticConcourse]

Bradley for Robinson.

[PhoSita]

I think he'll net them a first round pick. Possibly a mid first rounder. A late first at worst.

I'd totally be up for trading #16 for him, even if his rookie season was a bit of a bust and he has some positional overlap with Sullinger.  He's more of a sure thing than anybody we could take at 16.

[hpantazo]

I think he'll net them a first round pick. Possibly a mid first rounder. A late first at worst.

I'd totally be up for trading #16 for him, even if his rookie season was a bit of a bust and he has some positional overlap with Sullinger.  He's more of a sure thing than anybody we could take at 16.

I totally agree, he would be a top 5 pick in this draft, possibly top 3. He's easily worth the #16 and cap relief. We also owe McHale for KG, so we should help him out in getting D12.
We should push to get Motiejunas while were at it. 

[Eja117]

But we don't have cap space so is this not going to fly? Like we can only take back up to 20% more or something? If they're trying to clear space we might be able to just send Melo. What we shoooouullldd try to do is poach some of their young talent and send Melo and 16 and next year's two and try to get DMo, TRob, and Terrence Jones.

[CelticsFan9]

Wow, he's 6'10"?  I thought at the combine people were saying he was closer to 6'8".  If he is really that tall, I like him a lot.  If he's what people say he is, than I don't know; we've got plenty of undersized players on the roster as is.

I like Robinson because he brings Sullinger's hustle, but with more athleticism and explosiveness.  If we could get him for #16 and the China boys (except probably Williams, as McHale never played him when he was there before), I'd probably do that deal.

[The Rondo Show]

Would take him in a heartbeat

[hpantazo]

But we don't have cap space so is this not going to fly? Like we can only take back up to 20% more or something? If they're trying to clear space we might be able to just send Melo. What we shoooouullldd try to do is poach some of their young talent and send Melo and 16 and next year's two and try to get DMo, TRob, and Terrence Jones.

Yep, Demo would be awesome to steal from them right about now.

[hpantazo]

Wow, he's 6'10"?  I thought at the combine people were saying he was closer to 6'8".  If he is really that tall, I like him a lot.  If he's what people say he is, than I don't know; we've got plenty of undersized players on the roster as is.

I like Robinson because he brings Sullinger's hustle, but with more athleticism and explosiveness.  If we could get him for #16 and the China boys (except probably Williams, as McHale never played him when he was there before), I'd probably do that deal.

It doesn't matter if McHale likes him, they are going to cut them all anyway to save $$ and make a run at D12.