Thomas Robinson to Sign With Los Angeles Lakers

Former Portland Trail Blazer Thomas Robinson will sign a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical. Robinson played in Portland during the 2013-14 season and 2014-15 season before being packaged away in the ill-fated Arron Afflalo trade. He spent the last year with the Brooklyn Nets.

Robinson, 25, was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 draft. He never lived up to expectations, but has shown flashes of potential over the course of his NBA career. If Robinson is able to claim the Lakers’ 15th roster spot for the regular season, he will be on his sixth team in five years.

Yet, barring injury, it remains unlikely that we would see him break out in Los Angeles. Julius Randle, 21, and Larry Nance Jr., 23, are slotted in at power forward ahead of him. Regardless of who actually gets minutes, the Lakers appear to be doubling down on athletic, young fours to pair with the less than nimble Timofey Mozgov in the frontcourt.

The Lakers now have six power forwards in the training camp fold and 20 players on the roster—including Yi Jianlian, whose contract is partially guaranteed. Though a promising candidate, making the cut will be an uphill battle for Robinson. The same can be said for finding playing time if he does.