Report: T-Rob t-raded

By Staff Reports     Jun 30, 2013

Houston Rockets power forward Thomas Robinson (41) pumps his fist after scoring against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 22, 2013, in Houston.

Former Kansas University All-America power forward Thomas Robinson will be playing for his third NBA team during the 2013-14 season.

The Houston Rockets, who acquired Robinson from the Sacramento Kings via trade during Robinson’s rookie campaign, have agreed to ship the 6-foot-10 forward to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for two second-round draft picks and the rights to Kostas Papanikolau and Marko Todorovic, it was reported by Yahoo Sports and several other media outlets Sunday.

The Rockets now have the salary-cap space available to sign Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard, who is a free agent. USA Today reports that the Rockets will offer Howard a four-year, $88 million contract.

The Robinson deal, which will slice nearly $7 million off the Rockets’ payroll over the next two seasons, won’t become official until the NBA’s moratorium on free-agency signings ends July 10. Houston also waived Carlos Delfino and Aaron Brooks on Sunday.

Robinson — he will make $3.5 million next season — averaged 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 70 games as a backup in 2012-13. He joins former KU center Jeff Withey in Portland. Seven-footer Withey was a second-round pick of Portland in Thursday’s NBA Draft.

The Oregonian’s Joe Freeman writes that, “The Blazers were more than willing to facilitate the cap-saving move for Houston because they are in desperate need for frontcourt help. All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge is the only proven power forward on the roster. With his addition, the Blazers have three of the top 11 picks in the 2012 NBA draft: Robinson, point guard Damian Lillard (No. 6) and center Meyers Leonard (11).”

Freeman on Sunday wrote that the “Blazers were ecstatic about landing Kansas 7-footer Jeff Withey in the second round of the draft. One team source labeled Withey a ‘steal,’ revealing that the Blazers already have turned down two trade offers since draft night for the agile, shot-blocking specialist who is coveted by NBA analytics gurus.”

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