NBA Draft 2013: Houston Rockets On The Verge Of Dealing Thomas Robinson

April 14, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings power forward Thomas Robinson (41) on the bench against the Houston Rockets in the third quarter at the Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Kings 121-100. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

With the Houston Rockets not owning a first-round pick in this year’s draft, the biggest move for the Rockets on Thursday night might be dealing Thomas Robinson to shed close to $3.5 million in salary for next season in an effort to offer Dwight Howard a max-contract.  The Houston Chronicle reported that:

“The Rockets are in advanced talks on a cap-clearing trade of forward Thomas Robinson, with a deal potentially “imminent,” a person with knowledge of their plans said on Tuesday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls have shown interest in Robinson, according to another individual with knowledge of the Rockets efforts to move Robinson’s $3.5 million salary next season. The Bulls may be interested in Robinson as part of a larger deal, the individual said.

San Antonio had been interested in Robinson but the teams are not in talks about a deal. It would be difficult for the Spurs to make any sort of deal for Robinson directly with the Rockets and would likely have to add a third team in a larger deal.”

The Rockets acquired the no. 5 pick in the 2012 draft from the Sacramento Kings along with Francisco Garcia just prior to the trade deadline in February, but Robinson didn’t really get a chance to develop with the team.  He fell out of the rotation in April, and did not play in the playoffs, and is currently stuck behind power forwards Greg Smith, Terrence Jones, and Donatas Motiejunas.