The Sacramento Kings are signing Orlando Robinson to a one-year deal, according to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Free agent center Orlando Robinson has agreed on a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/tEw6RmwMPj
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 24, 2024
Sean Cunningham also confirmed the move.
League sources confirm that the Sacramento Kings have agreed to a one-year deal with former Miami Heat center Orlando Robinson. The former Fresno state standout is 24-years old and 6-foot-10 G League success story. ESPN first to report.
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) July 24, 2024
Robinson joined the Miami Heat after going undrafted in 2022 and has spent the last two seasons playing for both Miami and their G League affiliate. Robinson had been on a two-way contract before being promoted to a full contract last season.
In 2022-23, he saw minutes in 31 games for the Heat. He averaged 3.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game. Last season he played in 36 games (started in 7) with the Heat. Despite playing in more games, his minutes per game dropped to 8.4 per game. In that time on the floor, he averaged 2.8 points and 2.3 rebounds. His career averages are 3.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game.
With the Sioux Falls Skyforce over two seasons, he averaged 22 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals in 15 games over 31.6 minutes.
This is an interesting move for the Kings. Robinson presumably slots in as third string center behind Domantas Sabonis and Alex Len, but also gives the Kings a depth piece who is still young enough to have some upside. Per 36 minutes, he averages 12.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1 steal and .9 blocks.
Personally, I like the idea of taking a shot on a younger center for depth, but I also am not familiar enough with Robinson’s game to be overly excited. Robinson has fought his way into the league, and did so in a Heat organization that has a history of finding quality undrafted players. Robinson has had good games in the G League and in Summer League, hopefully Robinson can put it all together and find greater success now in the NBA.
I like it. Would much rather take a chance on a young and hungry hard-worker than pay Javale to be backup for another year or overpay a FA to sit behind Domas. Also gotta love that he’s an ex-Bulldog.
I’m a big Fresno State fan and I think this is a great move! I always thought Robinson had a good shot to make it in the league because he can block some shots and is a decent three point shooter. I feel like this is basically bargain barrel Jalen Smith. I have no idea if he’ll even play a minute this year but this is the right type of player to take a flier on.
Solid analogy as seems a lesser version of Smith but young enough to find his niche . Did shoot the 3 decent in G leagues.
Yeah I think this has the potential to be a really solid signing. Very under the radar move but I thought he played pretty well when given an opportunity with the Heat. He just became expendable once they drafted Ware.
But can he play SF?
Low risk, possibility of decent upside. Welcome to Sacramento, Orlando!
I looked him up on wikipedia, and it says he shot .533 from 3 last year. I couldn’t think of a fraction that equates to .533, so I went to the Percent-to-Fraction calculator at calculatorsoup.com, and it gave me 533/1000. So I’m just going to assume this is all correct, and he shot 533 threes out of 1000 attempts for Miami last year.
The question is “Will Orlando bloom?”
perhaps there will be a new dawn ahead.
(knock three times!)
As far as emergency bigs go, it’s a hell of a lot better than Javale.
Low bar, that he still has to clear.
I think all of the power forwards have been taken. Must be true.
What do you mean?
It is tricky.
Want to keep the conversation going but sometimes I fail to understand your point.
I am confused about the vague statement regarding PFs when the thread is about the Kings signing a 3rd string Center.
We need a power forward and for some reason we will not sign one. I do like the signing of a big instead of another guard. I think we should load up the two way guys and G league roster with bigs because that is what we need. Hopefully this is the beginning of that trend.
That makes sense, but there is still time to pursue a PF. If MM does in fact acquire a PF this offseason I am certain it will be through trade and not FA.
Murray and DeRozan are your starting forwards. Trey Lyles is the backup 4.
If there is need then probably it is at back up 3.
A back up center who is more effective than Len is probably needed.
Ideally you want another guy with the size and speed to play the 3 or the 4. Easier said than done, but that’s the ideal. Kings have a lot of switchability right now but a lot of it involves going small.
Yeah, this is where we get welcomed to the Jalen McDaniels experiment. I hope it goes well.
I’m terrified at the idea of Jalen getting more than garbage time.It likely means we’ve hit a rash of injuries or major slumps.
In all likelihood, he takes over Kessler Edwards’ role.
Yes, McDaniels may offer a little more length than Edwards, maybe a little 3rd string 3/4 behind Murray, Lyles, … unless we can trade him + assets for a 4 at least as good as Lyles.
“Terrified” is a peculiar word choice for the topic at hand, but if you truly are, I hope that you feel better soon.
For some reason, I think Jalen may be a solid bench player. I know he was given opportunities in Toronto, but a change may be good for him.
I also think this could be a disaster.
Jalen can be packaged in trade on Aug 27. Hope that happens. He has not been “introduced” to media and fans
Neither one of those is a power forward. I like the idea that they signed a big instead of another guard though.
They are not guards either. The way the offense structures around Sabonis, combo forwards are better suited. If there is a power forward that Monte wants, I am sure that is a very high level player; the same level of Siakam or Markanen.
Both Siakam and Markanen would be great. Also Ingram.
Force Keegan to play a position he is not and watch his game go bad. Derozan has never been a power forward either. Wings to guards is natural. Guards and wings to bigs does not work.
Yet, Ingram is not a PF, but you insist he would be great.
Also, DeRozan has actually played a lot of PF the last few years. He started there for a healthy chunk of the 46 win 2021-22 season in Chicago.
I like Ingram. He would be great here. I was just adding him in. Derozan isn’t a power forward. He was a power forward for the Bulls for the same reason he will get some minutes at power forward here.
Why Ingram though? Are you not afraid that he would be forced to play a position he is not and we would have to watch his game go bad?
Why Derozan?
I like Ingram and I like Derozan.
Monte tried to get these guys. It just shows you how tough it is to get a player like these.
I think you should consider your source of information. Whoever told you Ingram is a PF does not watch the Pels. Whoever told you Derozan has never been a PF does not watch the Bulls.
cost for Siakem and the risk too high. Cost for Markenon was Keegan
How do we know these things?
Siakem had a cost in future picks- Indy proved that + Siakem would not commit to resigning in Sac.
Ainge has always insisted on Keegan
I don’t “know” this as in they all told me but it has been reported.by local reputable sources- like James Hamm
Ainge has always asked for Keegan?
James Hamm?
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10127472-nba-trade-rumors-kings-protected-keegan-murray-in-lauri-markkanen-talks-with-jazz
Key word “rumors”.
yes, Ainge asked for Keegan. Reported by James Hamm- Kings Insider – 1320 radio 10 am and by Hoops Rumors
Ainge is asking for Kuminga and /carrot top from the duds too
Keywords “Reported by James Hamm” and next key word “rumors”.
Choosing to ignore reported information is your choice, but that doesn’t mean people are wrong and you are right.
Definitely does not mean people are wrong and I am right. That is my point. Same goes for rumors based on “reported” information. Does not mean it is correct. I doubt the information is correct. My opinion. Others see the information as correct. Their opinion.
Since none of us have participated in the closed-door negotiations, it’s okay to use the power of inference. Here are the things we know:
a.) Rumors have been that the Jazz were insisting on Keegan in the Markkanen trade
b.) Reporting came out that the Kings were not making Keegan available for trade
c.) The deal ultimately fell through
Without new data, it’s reasonable to think that the Jazz pushed hard for Keegan and the deal fell apart because the Kings ultimately weren’t willing to give Ainge what he wanted.
I don’t know why the logical power of deduction isn’t within your capacity. But as Greg points out, just because you choose to ignore the smoke doesn’t mean there wasn’t a fire.
Also, this schtick is getting super predictable, Marvin. I could have written this response on your behalf, damn near word for word. Maybe try adding some new material?
We generally do not agree but I respect your opinion.
Astute
I like it, he’s not bad at all for his age and looks to be getting better. He bet on himself with a one-year deal in SAC because he can legitimately earn some rotation mins in competition with Len (due to his ability to stretch the floor).
His 3pt shot percentages are kind of all over the place (NBA=0% in 2022, 55% in 2023/G-League=17% in 2022, 38% in 2023/College=32% in 2021), but you can see a trend where he is taking more 3s each year while improving the percentage so I envision him hitting them at around a 35% clip at around 3-4 3PA per 36 (Basketball References projects him shooting 40% next year per 36).
His rim-protection has historically not been very good and his rebounding is adequate. I hope he improves at those two skills but his SL games showed a marked improvement in those two areas versus his play last year on MIA.
Not bad for the 14th roster spot and eliminates the NEED to play Lyles at the 5 for spacing. Lyles still might be the best option behind Domas at times, but this is at least another option with size.
I don’t know anything about him.
Did he bet on himself or were the Kings the only team paying him money to play?
I don’t know how many teams were eager to add Robinson, but SI ran a story earlier today about how the Knicks were looking at Robinson as a cheaper option to Achiuwa. He was also considered an option by HOU but they currently don’t have any roster spots and are already 3-deep at C (plus they have a 2-way contract at C).
He is considered a 3rd stringer by most of the league and I think he sees the Kings as one of the only teams where he can conceivably work his way to being the main backup (although the Pelicans prob have the best situation for any Center looking to make an impact).
I believe he looked at the backup situation here (plus that he’d potentially be playing with a table-setter like Monk) and thought it might be his best path forward to earning regular rotation minutes.
Good to know. Thanks for sharing.
Looks like he has a lot of upside.
I think this is a Monte move- another Edwards, Metu, Noel, or Petrosov or other fliers he has taken. Maybe this one sticks. If he was great he would be on a roster. I think they did it to keep him from jumping elsewhere and losing out. I do think there is another move coming after Aug 27 when Jalen can be traded.
This addresses some of the backup 5 issues. Some but not all. Len is good in specific circumstances but not all. This guy will not be worse than JaVale.
Kings still have too many guards especially when Carter comes back ( if he does)
and what slot did the Kings use to sign him? part of MLE? BAE? vet minimum?
Bet on himself? my suspicion is that he took the first bird in the hand offer.
What do you mean on Carter returning”if he does?”
My assumption was that it meant “if he comes back this season”. With early estimates being post ASB, it might be that he doesn’t return to the court this season. It’s not out of the question that they simply red-shirt him this year if the team is cooking.
Wish they could red shirt him and not have the money count towards the cap.
a labrum tear can be tricky. Huerter missed a significant amount of time last year, all of the summer and “may be” ready for camp in September.
If Kings are doing well or not well, decision may be made to have him sit the entire year, like Holgren and Toppin at OKC. That’s the “if”.
The trade to get Sabonis and the acquisition of DeRozan were also “Monte moves.” Fact is, they all are.
yes, they all are Monte moves. Some Monte moves are big ones. like the ones you mention and my emphasis was on the little Monte moves- Edwards, Metu, Petrosov, Noel, even McDaniel’s and Duarte.
A quote from Spoelstra from December 2023:
“Orlando, you just have to—he makes you absolutely respect his fortitude and his grit,” Spoelstra told reporters this week. “He is relentless with his work, with his approach, with his commitment to earn trust from everybody. He does it with a competitive spirit. He gets better each month.”
“He goes to school on everything. If he makes a mistake in any kind of game, he gets to work with film, with Malik (Allen, assistant coach) and then he wants to drill it, 10,000 times. Which is what we love.”
Fits Monte’s type to a T.
But will MB be comfortable giving him minutes?
if he and Malik can do the lob thing like Lively in Dallas
Mmmmm lob city. I like it.
Good quote pull
If there’s anything we Kings fans love, it’s the Joe Lunchpail working man types that’s exactly what he sounds like. He had himself a really nice Summer League and he’s not JaVale, so I like that a lot.
I think fans everywhere love that. Interestingly, Dennis Rodman was exactly that type, antics be damned, and Bulls fans loved him for his incredible hustle. Couldn’t shoot, couldn’t jump, but was a genius at rebounding and defense. Outworked other people, and was loved for it.
I guess I’m thinking of our special love for unsung players like Michael “the animal” Smith, Jon Barry, Tony Delk, and Yogi Ferrell – guys who maybe don’t get the same special treatment from other franchises. Of course, fans everywhere love those types, but we always seem to forge a special bond with players like that. It could just be the homer in me, for sure.
Coach says nice things about one of his players. News at 11.
Lol Paper Bagley is apples and oranges. This a one-year flyer backup vs 2nd pick in a draft with Luka (shudders).
LOL. That was not the point that I was making, but whatever.
Coaches never hype up players or over sell them to other teams.
Roger that
Like this under the radar signing for sure. His highlight video shows a decent stroke, a bit rigid and slow but passable mechanics no doubt. If trainers can work on his explosiveness a little then he might even have a chance at the pf/stretch 4. IMO, like others have been saying, Kings need a PF. I don’t think Murray and DeRozan should be the 3 and 4. Murray slots better at the 3.
Just saw a fanspo trade(not exactly my favorite site but fun to speculate). Basically it was a three way trade with Kings, Orlando and Portland. In general Kings would sent out Huerter and the 2026 first for Wendel Carter Jr. and Portlands 2026 first. Sounds interesting.
I’ll say this about Fanspo, their trade machine is way better than ESPN’s.
The Kings can’t currently trade their 2026 first so it would have to be a different pick.
Hopefully, this is a good move. The only thing is I have NEVER heard of this guy and had NO idea he was in the NBA.
Me either.
Have started some references on him and I like what I have learned.
Card catalog or Google?
Neither.
he has been around for a couple of years, mostly in Miami. Marginal success. Ware made him expendable.
Let my questions be briefs: Is he under Ware?
I’ll also add, that if GM Divac was in place, my first question would have been:
Does he think he is signing Duncan Robinson from the Team in Florida (I thought it was Miami, but maybe it was Orlando?)
those were some wild times (I am still shaking my head and looking at Vivek).
Kings now have the minimum number of players under contract to start the season. Excluding any last minute trades, I’m banking on a Fox, Ellis, DeRozan, Keegan, Sabonis starting 5, with a regular bench of Monk (PG,SG), Huerter (SG,SF), Lyles (PF, C) and Len (C).
That’s a better rotation than last season. We’ll have to wait and see if it pays off.
If Lyles or Keegan goes out with injury, things will be tough for a while. That 3/4 position is still somewhat lacking depth. Hopefully another 3/4 will be brought in that can contribute.
I think the Kings can weather a Keegan or Lyles injury. The team is sinking ship without Sabonis and dead in the water without Fox.
If Robinson impresses, he could be on second unit where Len does not fit. Jordan Mac may get backup PG duties and IF Carter comes back he has to play.
Agree.
Not better enough, I don’t think, but then again I might be a contrary indicator.
I think it’s probably good enough to get them into the playoffs but I doubt it’s enough to get them out of the first round unless a few teams have some injury issues. That said being more in the playoff race and less in the play-in race is an improvement.
Agreed.
Marginal improvement but without addressing the main issues from last season (yet) and therefore probably not enough to break the playoffs series drought, like FKaC notes.
West is a crapshoot and volatile. Injuries are critical.
Right now_ OKC and Minnesota seem set towards the top. Denver has lost significant players 2 years in a row and will fall from the top.
LAC will fall.
Mavs are improved but their additions are good, not great players ( Gafford, PJ, Dinwiddie, Marshall, klank)
NOP kill the Kings but have no center, lost Marshall and Dyson but gained Dejonte)
I don’t think LAL and duds are better.
Memphis and Houston could be better.
If Cater contributes and IF Kings get a solid wing, then they can compete for 6-4 spots.
but not top 3.
I agree that OKC and Minnesota are the teams to beat and that the Clippers will fall. Denver won’t fall much with Jokic as QB and I think that Dallas is better even without much contributions from Klay. But I can also see how a change of scenery and a defined role can greatly benefit Klay and the Mavs.
So that leaves us out of the top 4 and in a dogfight with Memphis, the Lakers, Pelicans and probably Houston. If the Lakers can find a decent C and have Brow at PF they will be very dangerous, IMO. I think the Spurs will try to tank for another year, but if Wemby goes ona tear, all bets are off.
If the Warriors can trade for Markannen without giving up too many rotation players, they can also be a tough adversary.
If we are outside the top 4, I have a hard time viewing us as getting out of the first round.
We really need a good rimprotecting PF, or Keegan has tro make an insane jump, which is not fair to expect from him. And expecting anything out of Carter is wishful thinking, at this point. Maybe next year…
I think we can probably agree that the biggest issue for the Kings for the bulk of last season was defense. Their offense really hasn’t been too much of a problem.
Brown now has the ability to start his best two defenders from game one with one at the POA and the other on the wing. We saw the defensive numbers tick up considerably once Ellis started, but we did see the offense sputter. Was that just a symptom of the new lineup, or because of injuries to two key offensive players.
The Kings will now have the offensive fire power off the bench and their two best defenders playing 30+ minutes a night.
IMO, in the end a lineup of Fox, Ellis, DeRozan, Keegan, Sabonis is more than marginally better, on both ends of the floor, than a lineup of Fox, Huerter, Keegan, Barnes, Sabonis. This doesn’t even take into consideration that the 7th man off the bench is not Huerter when last year it was Duarte.
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