Robinson does want out, and a source close to the Robinson camp
tells ESPN.com there's one place the former slam-dunk champion would
truly like to land if a trade can be worked out: Boston.
If that can't happen, Robinson wants a buyout, believing he will be
able to sign with one of the top contending teams in the league,
including the Lakers, Cleveland and Orlando — the thinking being that
he can provide the instant offensive boost for any of those teams that
he once provided for the Knicks.
The 5-9 Robinson, 25, can do one thing – score. Here's John Hollinger's scouting report:
point guard. He looks for his own shot rather than to set up others and
can get wildly out of control at times. The flip side is that he brings
tremendous energy to the game whenever he enters, and despite his size
is capable of getting his shots off due to an explosive first step and
tremendous leaping ability. He's too quick to settle for a long jumper
rather than attack the rim, but few bench players score as easily.
So what would the Knicks take in return?
designation given to any player whose salary rises more than 20 percent
from the previous season (Robinson went from making $2.02 million to $4
million). If the Knicks found a trade for Robinson that was to his
liking, they could only take back a player making $2.02 million or less
— and Walsh has been adamant that he will not take on any contracts
that eat up the cap space he has squirreled away for next summer.
(Note: A trade of Robinson to Boston for J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker would work under salary cap rules, but would add nearly $2 million to the Knicks' 2010-11 payroll. A Robinson-Marquis Daniels
swap — with all deals possibly brokered through a third team — would
make more sense for New York payroll-wise, but it is questionable
whether that would interest the Celtics — even with Daniels sidelined
until the All-Star break by thumb surgery.)
I think it's safe to say there's no chance in hell the Celtics trade 'Quis for Nate. I'd be willing to take a gamble on him for just about any other bench player. Neither Giddens nor Walker have guaranteed deals for next year, yet ESPN claims a trade would add salary to the Knicks' books for 2010-11? I'm confused. What about Tony Allen? He's in the midst of a $2.5 million expiring contract.
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