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Should The Philadelphia 76ers Go After Nate Robinson?

The Philadelphia 76ers need some help at the point guard position. After just one regular season game, that’s obvious. The New Orleans Pelicans seem to be having a problem that is a little bit reversed, as they started the season with a ton of guards who have made a decent name for themselves.

The Pelicans signed former Sixer Ish Smith, (making it his ninth different team) right after the Sixers were rumored to have been looking into the possibility of bringing him back on the team. Smith has done well, averaging 12 points per game and 8.5 assists over the first two games he’s played. Smith spent the preseason with the Washington Wizards, but was let go when cuts came around. He’s valuable, and lots were sad to see the Sixers didn’t jump on the opportunity given their situation with Kendall Marshall and Tony Wroten both out for significant chunks of time.

The Pelicans, seeing Smith’s success, and already having enough guards to get work done, let Nate Robinson go. Robinson had yet to score in the 25 minutes he had played in two games for New Orleans, and only totaled four assists.

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That doesn’t mean Robinson can’t get better, especially looking at what he has done over the course of his career. Considering his 10 years in the league, he’s averaged 11.0 points per game, 0.9 steals, and 3.0 assists. Possibly the biggest thing he brings to the table is his experience though. Double digit years is something hardly anyone on the Sixers currently has.

The Sixers could really use him in several ways. 10 years gives almost any player knowledge. He has a decent outside shot, but takes a fairly balanced variety of shots. What I see in him when I watch him is that he’s got an eye to see holes. He knows when curling into the key will provide him with a nice open lane to drive through, and when he should pass.

Let’s not forget, he’s gone off in the playoffs before, when he was a member of the Chicago Bulls.

Running Robinson alongside Isaiah Canaan or Hollis Thompson could be a decent backcourt. It’s definitely something I’d be open to seeing for the Sixers, and as far as the guards go, I think most fans are open to pretty much anything besides what they saw Wednesday night. The guards compiled just seven assists and accounted for eight of the teams 24 turnovers.

As far as money goes, Robinson was slated to make about $1.5 million with New Orleans this season, something the Sixers could easily afford. They also might have an extra roster spot in the next few days (eligible to apply for the hardship clause after they’ve played three games with four injured players) to hold Robinson without letting go of anyone.

Would Robinson be a long term player? Probably not. With Marshall and Wroten coming back eventually, even some of the guards already on the team will be struggling to get minutes (T.J. McConnell). If the Sixers signed him, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him released once either of Marshall or Wroten is back and in the swing of things, because he won’t mean much.

That probably won’t make the deal any less attractive to Robinson. He’s made team switches nine different times in his career, and played on seven different teams in the last eight seasons. He’s also no stranger to switching rosters partway through the year, as he’s done that three times. The market isn’t huge for Robinson, so being offered a leading role on even the Sixers could be appealing to him right now. Work is work.

If I’m Sixers’ general manager Sam Hinkie, I’m making some calls before that hardship clause even kicks in. They need to get something going with Robinson if they really want him.

Next: What We Learned In Sixers Season Opener

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