Glenn Robinson III

Celtics Notes: Brown, Wing Options, Pritchard, Frontcourt

Jaylen Brown‘s first game since signing a record contract with the Celtics came in an unlikely setting — the Big3 All-Star contest, writes Jason Jones of The Athletic. Brown, who became the first active NBA player to participate in a Big3 game, agreed to play because the event, which was held in England, helps to support the London Youth charity.

The decision is also part of Brown’s effort to promote Black-owned businesses, Jones adds. League co-founder Ice Cube told a CBS interviewer that he was “blown away” to have an NBA All-Star on hand.

“I asked him if he was sure he wanted to make this move,” Cube said. “And he was like ‘I want to do this for the game, for the players and it’s a big move for the league’ … This guy is my hero right now.”

There’s more on the Celtics:

  • Of the four wings the team is working out this month, Lamar Stevens and T.J. Warren are probably looking for guaranteed money, while Louis King and Glenn Robinson III are more likely to agree to non-guaranteed camp deals, Brian Robb of Mass Live states in a mailbag column. Robb is skeptical about Warren because the Suns opted to let him leave in free agency rather than try to keep him on a minimum-salary deal. He sees Stevens as the best option because he would bring a defensive presence at the wing that rookie Jordan Walsh may not be ready to provide.
  • President of basketball operations Brad Stevens may have erred last year by trading for Malcolm Brogdon when the team had more pressing needs in its frontcourt, Robb adds. Payton Pritchard appeared ready for rotation minutes, but he was frequently kept on the bench because of the logjam in the backcourt. That should be less of a concern this season with Marcus Smart sent to Memphis in the Kristaps Porzingis trade, but Robb still doesn’t foresee Pritchard playing more than 25 minutes per game unless Brogdon gets injured. Pritchard is eligible for an extension until the start of the season, so the Celtics will have to figure out how he fits into their future.
  • Robb also believes Boston should focus on finding another big man before camp rather than relying on Luke Kornet or bringing back Blake Griffin. Oshae Brissett could fill some minutes in the frontcourt, but Robb sees a need for more depth considering the age and injury history of Porzingis, Robert Williams and Al Horford.

Celtics Hold Workout With Glenn Robinson III

Free agent Glenn Robinson III recently worked out for the Celtics, sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link).

The 29-year-old swingman hasn’t played professionally since being waived by the Kings in February of 2021. He also had a workout scheduled with the Warriors this month as he tries to return to the NBA.

Boston has at least two open roster spots and is conducting an extensive search to fill them. Reports on Tuesday stated that T.J. Warren, Lamar Stevens and Louis King are set to work out for the team, which appears to be targeting veteran wings.

The Celtics currently have 11 fully guaranteed contracts, the fewest in the league, with Dalano Banton holding a partial guarantee and Luke Kornet on a non-guaranteed deal. There’s plenty of flexibility to add any players who make a positive impression during workouts, and bringing back veteran big man Blake Griffin may be a possibility as well.

Robinson played for six teams during his seven years in the NBA. An accomplished three-point shooter at 37.3% for his career, he appeared in 304 total games with averages of 5.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per night.

Warriors To Work Out Glenn Robinson III

The Warriors are set to hold a private workout for longtime NBA wing Glenn Robinson III, sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

Were he to sign on with Golden State, it would mark Robinson’s second stint with the team. A seven-year vet out of Michigan, he previously spent a portion of the 2019/20 season with the Warriors.

That Golden State team provided a unique opportunity for playing time for the 6’6″ swingman, as starting shooting guard Klay Thompson was out the entire season with a torn ACL and starting point guard Stephen Curry was sidelined for all but five games due to a hand injury.

Robinson played 48 games for the Warriors that year, starting all of them. Across those contests, he averaged careers highs of 12.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.8 APG and 0.9 SPG, across 31.6 MPG. He was eventually flipped to the Sixers midway through the season.

Since being selected by the Timberwolves with the No. 40 pick in 2014, Robinson has also suited up for the Pacers, Pistons and most recently the Kings in 2020/21. He hasn’t played professionally since then. Robinson is a career 37.3% three-point shooter, albeit on a relatively modest 1.7 attempts a night. The 29-year-old could theoretically help spread the floor for the Warriors, while offering solid defense on the other end in spot minutes.

A return to the Warriors this season could also provide him with a real minutes opportunity off the bench, as the 2023/24 iteration of Golden State could still use some veteran wings with size behind starters Thompson and Andrew Wiggins. Third-year wings Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga struggled to earn significant rotation time last season.

Golden State currently has 13 players inked to its standard 15-man roster.

Scotto’s Latest: DiVincenzo, VanVleet, Poeltl, Lakers, Niang, Gallinari, More

Donte DiVincenzo is expected to be a popular target on the free agent market, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who identifies the Knicks, Timberwolves, Pistons, Pelicans, Rockets, Magic, and Bulls as teams that have interest in the veteran swingman. After settling for a $4.5MM salary in his last foray into free agency a year ago, DiVincenzo could get offers in the neighborhood of the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($12.4MM) this time around, says Scotto.

Here are a few more highlights from Scotto’s latest round-up of news and rumors from around the NBA:

  • The Raptors are hoping to re-sign Fred VanVleet on a three-year deal in the range of $90-100MM, says Scotto. The team is also looking to bring back center Jakob Poeltl, but may face serious competition from the Rockets on both players. Although Brook Lopez has been considered Houston’s primary target at center, there’s a belief that Lopez would prefer to return to the Bucks as long as their offer is in the same ballpark as Houston’s, Scotto explains. That could prompt Houston to pivot to Poeltl, who is also expected to receive from the Spurs, as previously reported.
  • While the Lakers would like to re-sign Dennis Schröder, they’re keeping an eye on several other free agent point guards, including Shake Milton, Cory Joseph, and Jevon Carter, says Scotto. In addition to the Bucks and Lakers, Carter is expected to receive interest from the Timberwolves and Suns, among others, Scotto adds.
  • Scotto is the second reporter to link Georges Niang to the Cavaliers today, noting that Cleveland offered a pair of second-round picks for him at the trade deadline. The Sixers, Bulls, and Spurs are a few of the other clubs expected to express interest in Niang, league sources tell HoopsHype.
  • Despite a report indicating that the Wizards are likely to buy out Danilo Gallinari, the two sides haven’t had any discussions about that possibility yet, per Scotto, who writes that the veteran forward is comfortable with the idea of opening the season in D.C.
  • According to Scotto, former NBA wing Glenn Robinson III is attempting a comeback, having signed with agent Keith Kreiter and scheduled workouts with a handful of NBA teams in Las Vegas last month. A career 37.3% three-point shooter, Robinson has been out of the league for the last two seasons.
  • Vin Bhavnani and Mike Batiste are expected to join the Raptors as assistants on Darko Rajakovic‘s new coaching staff, Scotto reports. Bhavnani is a former Thunder assistant, while Batiste was on Stephen Silas‘ staff in Houston last season.

Kings Notes: Robinson, Fox, Schedule, Walton

Glenn Robinson III, who was waived today before the league-wide contract guarantee kicked in, agreed not to pursue any remaining salary that he might have collected because of a knee injury, sources tell Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement allows players who are injured to earn their full base compensation until they’re healthy enough to play again. Robinson missed Saturday’s game due to right knee soreness, but his absence on Sunday and Tuesday was attributed to personal reasons.

“I’ve been told that it’s personal matters, and when it comes to personal matters I don’t really pry,” Kings coach Luke Walton said earlier this week. “I’m very big on us being close and open, but I also respect everybody and what people are going through. … My understanding is it’s been personal reasons and that’s why he’s not with our team.”

The Kings gave Robinson a one-year, minimum-salary contract with a small partial guarantee in free agency, hoping he would be an effective backup to small forward Harrison Barnes. He averaged 5.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 23 games, but Anderson said the team may want to create more playing time for DaQuan Jeffries, who has been impressive since returning from an ankle injury.

There’s more from Sacramento:

  • De’Aaron Fox turned to his fiancée to help him improve his shot after the Kings failed to make the playoffs during the restart, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPNRecee Caldwell, a former WNBA player and the daughter of former Texas Tech assistant coach Ray Caldwell, introduced Fox to shooting drills she learned from her father. “My dad made sure that I was able to shoot it from legitimately anywhere on the floor,” she said. “So the fact that I could mix in what I was raised on, with De’Aaron’s speed and natural talent, I was like, ‘Wow, we can really make a monster.'”
  • After facing the league’s most difficult schedule during the first half of the season, the Kings will get a break in the second half, according to James Ham of NBC Sports. Sacramento projects to have the seventh-easiest schedule once play resumes March 10, which provides hope for a team that is slipping out of the playoff race after dropping eight straight games.
  • After the Timberwolves replaced Ryan Saunders this week, Walton is the co-favorite to be the next coach to lose his job, according to Sportsbook.AG (hat tip to Jas King of Sactown Royalty). Walton has two more years remaining on his contract after this season, but he was hired by former general manager Vlade Divac.

Kings Release Glenn Robinson III

3:58pm: The Kings have made it official, announcing in a press release that they’ve waived Robinson.


3:36pm: The Kings intend to waive forward Glenn Robinson III, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). The move will open up a spot on Sacramento’s roster, which is currently full.

Robinson, 27, signed a one-year, non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract with the Kings during the offseason after playing for the Warriors and 76ers in 2019/20. The veteran won the team’s final roster spot in training camp and appeared in 23 games for Sacramento, averaging 5.3 PPG and 2.0 RPG on .424/.364/.913 shooting in 16.0 minutes per contest.

Robinson is currently away from the Kings for personal reasons and was reportedly anticipating his release, since today is the deadline for teams to waive players on non-guaranteed deals and avoid paying their full-season salaries.

As Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee noted earlier, Robinson has been dealing with a minor knee issue and the Kings would have to continue to pay him until he’s healthy enough to play, but that injury isn’t believed to be serious.

Assuming Robinson goes unclaimed on waivers, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent on Friday, while Sacramento carries a cap hit of at least $930,930 on their books.

Pacific Notes: GRIII, Lakers, Whiteside, George, Warriors

Glenn Robinson III, who is currently away from the Kings for personal reasons, may not return to the team, writes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. Robinson’s salary for 2020/21 is non-guaranteed, and teams must waive players on non-guaranteed contracts today in order to avoid taking on their full-season cap hits.

According to Anderson, Robinson is believed to be anticipating his release, but the Kings hadn’t communicated their intentions as of Tuesday night.

As Anderson explains, the situation is somewhat complicated by the fact that Robinson is dealing with a knee injury. A team that waives an injured player who is on a non-guaranteed deal must continue paying him until he’s healthy enough to return or until his contract expires, whichever comes first. Robinson’s knee issue doesn’t appear serious, but it will be a factor for the Kings to consider as they mull their options.

Here’s more from around the Pacific:

  • Jovan Buha of The Athletic explores how waiving Quinn Cook gives the Lakers even more options on the buyout market, while Dan Woike and Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times identify Kings center Hassan Whiteside as one frontcourt player the team could pursue either via trade or buyout.
  • Clippers forward Paul George was pleased to earn All-Star honors, but is among the players who don’t believe the game should be played at all this season, as Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN details. George told reporters that he was fined earlier in the season for having a teammate over to his house, which is one reason why he questions the decision to bring 24 players from all over the league to Atlanta for the All-Star Game.
  • The return of Stephen Curry (37 points) made the biggest impact in the Warriors‘ win over New York on Tuesday, but head coach Steve Kerr was also pleased to have centers James Wiseman and Kevon Looney available again, telling reporters that Wiseman looked “great” and that Looney “makes the game easier for everybody else” (link via Nick Friedell of ESPN). Wiseman missed 11 games with a wrist injury, while Looney was out for 10 games due to an ankle sprain.

Pacific Notes: Curry, Wiseman, Looney, Cousins, Lakers, Robinson

The Warriors could have most of the regulars back in action on Tuesday against the Knicks. Stephen Curry missed Saturday’s loss to Charlotte but practiced on Monday and is expected to play Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Nick Friedell. Coach Steve Kerr also indicated big men James Wiseman and Kevon Looney could play after participating in the practice. Looney has been out since February 2 with an ankle sprain. Wiseman, the No. 2 pick in the draft, has been sidelined since January 30 with a wrist injury.

We have more from the Pacific Division:

  • Executives whom Heavy.com Sean Deveney spoke to believe that DeMarcus Cousins would be a bad fit for the Lakers. Cousins is being held out of action as Houston seeks to deal him. Cousins hasn’t shot it well this season and his diminished mobility makes him a liability on defense. The team also has limited salary available to add another player.
  • The absences of Anthony Davis and Dennis Schröder are taking a toll on the Lakers and the schedule isn’t helping, Jovan Buha of The Athletic notes. They had lost two straight heading into Monday’s game against Washington while struggling to find offensive answers. They also play four teams with winning records before the All-Star break.
  • Kings swingman Glenn Robinson III is not currently with the team due to personal reasons, James Ham of NBC Sports California tweets. Robinson has appeared in 23 games, averaging 5.3 PPG in 16.0 MPG. Sacramento must decide this week whether to fully guarantee Robinson’s $2MM contract.

Kings Notes: Bagley, Walton, Robinson, G League

The Kings are encouraged by Marvin Bagley III‘s performance through the first quarter of the season, but mostly they’re happy he has been able to avoid injuries, writes James Ham of NBC Sports. Bagley has appeared in all 18 of Sacramento’s games so far after being limited to 13 last year by a variety of mishaps.

“Just being able to be there for my team — available, that’s something that I wanted to do and I did everything in the offseason to make sure I was ready for that,” Bagley said. “I’m feeling good.”

There has been a cloud hanging over Bagley’s career, not only due to injuries but because of the Kings’ decision to draft him ahead of Luka Doncic and Trae Young, who have already been to All-Star games. Sacramento hopes better health will lead Bagley on a similar course.

“We have to be patient,” coach Luke Walton said. “He hasn’t had the experience he needs. He’s still a very young player. He’s a very willing learner. He’s a very talented player and it just takes time.”

There’s more from Sacramento:

  • Walton probably won’t have to worry about his job for a while, according to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. New general manager Monte McNair is still assembling his long-term roster, and Anderson thinks McNair will want to see what Walton can do with that group before making a decision on his coach. Anderson points out that the Kings have been through 10 head coaches in the past 15 years.
  • Glenn Robinson III is one of several NBA players with a father who played in the league, notes Alex Kramers of NBA.com. The swingman, who’s in his first year with the Kings, said he has learned to rely on that connection. “Throughout the years and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve appreciated my dad more and more,” Robinson said. “Obviously, we both have the same career, and I’m able to call him and get advice, on and off the court. That’s something that I can never replace. I’m forever grateful for that.”
  • Sacramento has assigned two players to the G League bubble, Anderson writes in a separate story. Because the Kings’ affiliate isn’t participating, they sent Jahmi’us Ramsey to play for the Clippers’ team (Agua Caliente) and Robert Woodard to the Spurs’ squad (Austin). Both are rookies who were selected in the second round of November’s draft.

Pacific Notes: Robinson, Guy, Harrell, Housen, Clippers Staff

With rookie Tyrese Haliburton out due to a wrist injury, the Kings are using Glenn Robinson III and Kyle Guy to fill in those minutes, James Ham of NBC Sports Bay Area tweets. Robinson played 21 minutes and Guy saw the court for six minutes during the Kings’ game against Houston on Saturday. Robinson is playing on a contract that doesn’t fully guarantee until late February, while Guy is on a two-way deal.

We have more from around the Pacific Division:

  • The Lakers’ star players LeBron James and Anthony Davis are well-known clients of Klutch Sports but Montrezl Harrell, another client, insists that had nothing to with his decision to join the team, Lakers beat writer Harrison Faigen tweets. “First of all, my agency has nothing to do with my decision (to join the Lakers),” Harrell said. Harrell signed a two-year contract in November while jumping from one Los Angeles team to another.
  • Warriors executive Eric Housen has been stuck in Detroit since the middle of last week due to the league’s COVID-19 protocols, as Marcus Thompson of The Athletic details. Housen, the team’s VP of team operations, was forced into a seven-day quarantine due to contact tracing.
  • Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said that seven staff members who have been placed under quarantine restrictions in Los Angeles are doing well, according to Mirjam Swanson of the Orange County Register. “(They are) healthy and feeling pretty good, that’s the most important thing,” Lue said. A Clippers staff member tested positive in Salt Lake City and contact tracing led to the quarantine. Lue indicated it didn’t affect preparations prior to the team’s game in Phoenix on Sunday. “We have the ample amount of staff that we need,” he said.