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With a roster spot now open following the release of Glen Rice Jr, we'll begin to see some familiar names being floated around as potential targets for the Wizards. Late Thursday, that started with Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears tweeting out the following:
The Clippers, Heat and Wizards also have joined Cavaliers in expressing interest in free agent point guard Nate Robinson, a source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) January 15, 2015
Robinson was signed two years ago by the Denver Nuggets by way of their bi-annual exception, but suffered an ACL tear in his left knee around this time last year and hasn't looked the same since. His shooting has been way down this season, and looks to have lost some of the explosiveness that has allowed him to stick in the league for so long. He was traded to Boston just a few days ago in exchange for Jameer Nelson, and was bought out shortly after.
Local media did get ahold of the report, and cleared up a few things:
Nate Robinson would like to play for the #Wizards, but the team isn’t currently interested and hasn’t reached out, according to two sources.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgeccastillo) January 16, 2015
Wizards aren't moving on the open roster spot until they know Ray Allen's plans. Anything else is speculation #WizardsTalk #NBA @CSNWizards
— J. Michael (@JMichaelCSN) January 16, 2015
This makes a lot more sense. Buy-out season isn't really in full swing until right around the trade deadline, and the deadline for scooping up those players in time for postseason eligibility is March 1. The Wizards are second in the East, and should be in no rush to pull the trigger on Robinson, or anyone for that matter.
But it brings into question just who the Wizards are looking for. There's an obvious need along the wings that Ray Allen would fill comfortably, and it helps that he can play meaningful postseason minutes. He's not an upgrade over Rasual Butler or Martell Webster and he does have to work his way into game-shape, but there is definitely added value in him spotting up along the arc over anyone else on this roster.
As for Robinson, the Wizards could do better. They've needed that spark plug, combo-guard off the bench for some time now, but the time to get him was two years ago, not now. Maybe a change-of-scenery would help, but I'm skeptical.