Nate Robinson Trade Rumors

Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears went on sports radio in Boston and said that the Boston Celtics proposed a trade offer for Nate Robinson of the Knicks. Spears didn’t know exactly what the offer entailed, but he did point toward a first round pick.

The Knicks were looking to trade Robinson in December while he was in Mike D’Antoni’s doghouse, but he has since found his way back into D’Antoni’s rotation and has played well.

According to the New York Daily News, Celtics coach Doc Rivers “wouldn’t mind getting the chance to coach Robinson, even if he’s high-maintenance.”

The Knicks do not own a first round pick in this year’s upcoming draft. Even though Robinson is a fan favorite and can help this club win this year, I don’t see him fitting into the Knicks’ future plans. Before this season the Knicks signed Robinson to a one-year deal worth $4 million and it’s unlikely they’ll re-sign him after this season even if he remains a Knick. Because of this, the Knicks should take the trade if a first-round pick is involved, even if the pick is going to wind up being later in the first round.

Again, the details of the proposed trade are not officially known. Would the Knicks try to package a guy like Jared Jeffries in the deal too and ask for an expiring contract in addition to the first round pick in return?

The Knicks may not take the trade because Boston won’t be giving the Knicks a player in exchange that can help them win this year. Although it would be nice to go to the playoffs and play competitive postseason basketball, I think that trading Robinson is worth maybe not going to the playoffs. But who’s to say they can’t make the playoffs without Nate? They played their best basketball in December when Nate was on the bench.

The Knicks may also not trade Robinson because they don’t have a viable group of guards. Duhon is a back-up player in reality, Larry Hughes was moved out of the rotation since Nate was inserted into it and rookie Toney Douglas is inconsistent. Somebody would have to step up if the Knicks were to trade Nate since the Knicks sometimes play his hot hand and he wins games for them.