As we mentioned on Monday, the Sacramento Kings had one available roster spot. Notice how I said: "had." That's because that last spot has now been filled. On Wednesday, it was announced that the Kings were adding Orlando Robinson on a one-year deal.
Free agent center Orlando Robinson has agreed on a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/tEw6RmwMPj
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 24, 2024
While no dollar figure was announced, it can be assumed that Robinson was signed on a veteran minimum. And the veteran minimum for a player with two years of service (like Robinson) is roughly 2.1 million dollars. So, Robinson likely signed a one-year deal for that amount.
Robinson Is An Upgrade Over JaVale McGee
I was of the opinion that the Kings' biggest need was at forward (I even listed six potential optionsthat they could have targeted in free agency). However, if they weren't going to add another forward, the Kings also could have used some depth at center, which is exactly what they addressed with this signing.
Last season, the Kings kept three centers on the roster: Domantas Sabonis, Alex Len, and JaVale McGee. The latter two were unrestricted free agents heading into this offseason. The Kings re-signed Len to a one-year deal (also on a veteran minimum). Up to this point, they had yet to do the same with McGee, leaving them with only two centers on the roster.
It appears like Robinson will serve as McGee's replacement. And as the headline suggests, I think this is an upgrade for your third center. McGee may have had the better season last year (he had a slightly higher Estimated Plus-Minus, per Dunks & Threes). But Robinson is far younger (24 compared to McGee who is 36), meaning that he has much higher upside. The Kings already have a veteran backup center in Len (31). So, it makes sense to take a flyer on a young guy who may have some unrealized potential. And it's not like they broke the bank to get Robinson, either.
In two seasons with the Miami Heat, Robinson appeared in 67 games (starting in eight) and averaged 3.2 PPG and 3.1 RPG on 57.9% true shooting in 10.9 minutes per contest. Robinson has finished in the 34th percentile in Estimated Plus-Minus in back-to-back seasons.
After being waived by the Heat earlier this month, Robinson suited up for the Houston Rockets during the Vegas Summer League, averaging 14.2 PPG and 9.4 RPG in 23.5 MPG across five appearances.