The trade deadline activity has begun with a trade last night between the Sacramento Kings and Houston that sent last year's fifth overall pick, Thomas Robinson, packing his bags for Houston according to media reports.
The Kings, who traded Robinson, acquired forward Patrick Patterson, center Cole Aldrich, guard Toney Douglas and one million dollars from the Rockets. The Rockets received Robinson, guard Francisco Garcia, and forward Tyler Honeycutt.
Robinson, who starred at Kansas for the NCAA title-winning Jayhawks was taken fifth overall ahead of productive rookies such as Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers and Harrison Barnes of the Warriors. Robinson was averaging 15.9 minutes per game in Sacramento, and just 4.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. A logjam of veteran big men, such as DeMarcus Cousins, Jason Thompson and Chuck Hayes, limited his playing time. As an undersized power forward, Robinson's field goal percentage was sitting at a paltry 42 percent. In his senior year at Kansas Robinson averaged 17.7 points per game and 12 rebounds.
In Houston, Robinson can expect a larger role as the top power forward on the depth chart according to rotoworld.com. According to basketball-reference.com, Robinson's per 36 minutes stats average out to 11 points and just under 11 rebounds per game.
Part of the reason for expecting an increased workload for Robinson stems from Houston sending another young forward, Marcus Morris, to Phoenix for a second-round pick in the upcoming draft. Morris, who was averaging 8.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 21 minutes per game in Houston will be playing with his twin brother Markieff for the Suns.
According to ESPN, the trade saves the Kings $3 million. In keeping with the reunion theme, Cousins will be reunited with Patterson, his teammate at the Kentucky.
Garcia was averaging 17 minutes per game for the Kings while Honeycutt was one of the last players off the bench. Toney Douglas filled a similar role to Garcia's for the Rockets while Aldrich averaged seven minutes of floor time a game.
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