Five free agent replacements for Willie Reed

3. Thomas Robinson

To say that Robinson has been a journeyman since being selected No. 5 overall in the 2012 draft would an enormous understatement. His stint this season with the Los Angeles Lakers represented his sixth team in five seasons, of which he has never stayed in the same spot for longer than two seasons.

This season, Robinson averaged 5.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 48 games for the Lakers,  averaging just 11.7 minutes per game. Coming out of Kansas, Robinson’s draft profile on Draft Express consisted of the following:

"Listed at 6-10 this season with a 7-1 wingspan, broad shoulders, and a chiseled frame, Robinson also possesses excellent quickness and explosiveness for a player his size, which he further enhances by playing with tremendous energy….He’s able to shoot jump hooks over either shoulder, face up and shoot a jumper, or make a power move to the rim. He goes up strong and aggressively with the ability to finish above the rim or draw fouls, but has also displayed a soft touch finishing with either hand…..He’s big and strong enough to defend on the block, and he’s quick enough laterally to defend more perimeter-oriented four men and help on pick-and-rolls. He’s extremely active and plays with great energy and toughness."

With reviews such as this, it’s not hard to wonder why Robinson was selected so high in his draft class. But with the ever-changing nature of the league, and the increased prevalence of ‘small-ball’, Robinson has been unable to find himself a real niche. Although listed as a power-forward, Robinson would almost only be suited now to playing the center position. And at 6-foot-10 and 237 pounds, Robinson has virtually the identical physical makeup to Reed.

Robinson’s most impressive stretch of his career came towards the end of his solitary season as a member of the Brooklyn Nets. Over a six-game span, Robinson averaged 15.3 points and 13.0 rebounds in 28.4 minutes per game. Not surprisingly, Robinson started in five of these six games.

Amongst this stretch came a 23-point,10-rebound performance in 31 minutes. Check out the highlights of this performance here:

And most recently, Robinson posted a season-high 16 points and nine rebounds as member of the  Lakers. The highlights of this performance can be seen here:

It’s evident from these clips that Robinson’s athleticism, hustle and energy are indisputable.  Considering his journeyman status and limited playing time, a minimum is likely to be more than enough for the Heat to offer Robinson this summer. Furthermore, there’s no reason Robinson could not match, or excel, the contribution’s Reed made to the Heat this season.