Devin Robinson is a first round talent hiding in the second round
In a league dependent on versatility, Devin Robinson’s physical tools should give him rotational value to a team like the Philadelphia 76ers.
The majority of player evaluations for the Philadelphia 76ers will now shift towards the second round. With Markelle Fultz a foregone conclusion at one, the Sixers’ four second round picks — and how they plan to use them — are rapidly becoming the underlying storyline that’s most worth watching come June 22. They’ll have opportunities to trade up, but the likelihood of them dispersing all four is slim.
Philadelphia 76ers
That gives Philadelphia the opportunity to sift through what is a relatively deep vein of talent in the second round. With their rotation still far from complete around Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Fultz, Brett Brown and company could benefit in a significant way from a strong addition towards the back end of the draft.
We’ve seen the Sixers produce the likes of Jerami Grant, K.J. McDaniels and Richaun Holmes in the latter round before, all of whom have one characteristic in common — athleticism. The second round is about gambling on upside, which is typically the best route towards finding a serviceable role player. They’re non-guaranteed contracts, which takes virtually all the risk out of selecting a player who may fizzle out over time. If they’re ceiling’s the highest, they’re someone who should be on the team’s radar.
That’s where a player like Devin Robinson comes into play. The junior out of Florida had his best season to date last year, averaging 11.1 points per contest while hitting shots at a career-high 39.1 percent clip from beyond the arc. Standing at 6-8 with a 7-1 wingspan, Robinson’s inordinate length on the wing gives him some excellent potential at a few spots on the floor for a team like Philadelphia.
Robinson’s at his best offensively as a spot-up shooter, something this Sixers team will need in bulk for the foreseeable future. With Simmons and Fultz leading the playmaking charge, Robinson’s combination of size and perimeter touch is a rare asset.
His quick, fluid release allows him to hit shots against quick closeouts, while his length — as well as his bounciness around the rim — makes him a dangerous finisher in straight-line drives. He’s able to attack closeouts with long strides, while his long arms allow him to hang in the air and finesse his way through contact around the basket. His offensive game isn’t indicative of a star by any means, but he has all the requisite tools of a strong role player for a team spearheaded by such plentiful playmaking elsewhere in the rotation.
Related Story: Sterling Brown makes sense in the second round
Robinson’s length and feel around the perimeter will also help him exploit lanes as a cutter, while his length always makes him a sneaky threat on the offensive boards. As his frame continues to fill out, he should also find some moderate success when switching to the four spot, where he has the length to excel when roaming the court defensively.
He’s already a strong rebounder (grabbing 6.1 per game in 26.4 minutes), but his shot blocking potential on the weakside, as well as his ability to switch between the interior and exterior, could make him the dynamic stretch four Bryan Colangelo has been looking for.
In a league predicated on versatility, Robinson is the type of piece who brings value well beyond the box score. His ability to cover multiple positions while rotating through different actions defensively gives Brett Brown far more flexibility on that side of the ball, while his offensive fit is already clear.
Next: Small ball could give the Sixers an extra dynamic
He won’t be that ultra-special second round diamond, but he should be a first round-level talent. The depth of this year’s class has clouded some of the perception around Robinson’s past production and relatively limited role, but the upside is most certainly there. He has his most reliable campaign to date, and the Sixers seem like a solid place for his growth to continue.