Back in training camp for the Los Angeles Lakers and throughout the NBA preseason, Thomas Robinson was one player that was able to prove himself while exceeding expectations.
The well-traveled forward was on the roster bubble for the Lakers leading all the way up to the last day cuts were made. Robinson, along with Metta World Peace, were the last two players added to the Lakers roster and ultimately made an impression in limited minutes over the course of the 2016-17 NBA season.
On Thursday, Robinson went through his exit interview with Magic Johnson, Rob Pelinka, and head coach Luke Walton. Although Robinson wants to return next season, the Kansas product wasn’t given any clarity on whether he’s in the team’s plans moving forward, via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Robinson said Magic/Rob didn’t provide clarity on whether he’ll be back next season. "Hopefully it turns into me coming back as a Laker."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) April 13, 2017
Robinson will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and may have shown enough during this past season with the Lakers to merit another roster spot elsewhere. As for the Lakers, the team will likely look to upgrade the frontcourt in free agency with Robinson potentially being a backup option if their plans fall short in July.
If Robinson does sign with another team in the NBA during the offseason, it will be his seventh team he’s played for since being drafted fifth overall back in 2012 by the Sacramento Kings. Robinson has only once in his career played for a team in the league for more than one season, and that was with the Portland Trail Blazers from 2013 to 2015.
In 48 games during the 2016-17 campaign, Robinson averaged 5.0 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 53.6 percent from the floor.