NBA Free Agency: Nate Robinson, Should The Mavericks Go After Him?

It took the Chicago Bulls 142 points, three overtime periods, and 34 points from Nate Robinson to beat the Brooklyn Nets in game 4, and take a 3-1 series lead. It also took Nate Robinson erasing a 14-point deficit by scoring 23 points in the fourth quarter. His performance in game 4 is already considered legendary playoff basketball. Robinson is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. Should the Dallas Mavericks go after him?

Nate was drafted out of Washington, were he also played football, in the 2005 with the 21st pick by the Phoenix Suns. At Washington, Robinson averaged a little over 16 points per game and 4 assists his junior year. He was one of six point guards taken in the first round. Deron Williams went 3rd and Chris Paul 4th. The Dallas Mavericks had no pick in the draft that year. Nate was traded the same night to the New York Knicks, were he spent four of his eight seasons in the NBA.

Robinson was a deadline trade to the Boston Celtics in 2010, for basically Eddie House and a 2nd round pick in 2014. He was then traded to the OKC Thunder a year later with Kendrick Perkins for Jeff Green and 2012 1st round pick. After one season with the Thunder, averaging a career low 3.3 points per game, Robinson was waived. He only played in 4 games, and was costing the franchise $4.5 million. He found work with Golden State Warriors, signing as free agent for the league minimum. This season, with Derrick Rose out for the season, the Chicago Bulls signed Robinson for a league minimum $1,146,337. Talk about getting your money’s worth!

Throughout his career, Nate has accepted his role as the “bench scorer” on the NBA. The player with a lot of passion, that plays with his heart and can create his own shot. The biggest question mark has been his health and his attitude. This season with the Bulls, he has played all 82 games, the most in his career.

Nate has made himself a name in the NBA by not letting his 5’9 height hold him back. He has participated in the dunk contest and plays inside the paint.

Robinson’s passion for basketball has always made him a fan favorite, no matter what team he plays for. He connects with fans off the court as well with his own reality webisodes on his own YouTube channel, State of Nate. Unlike most reality TV, he uses the outlet to showcase his humanity and love for both basketball and football. The Mavericks have had their full of reality stars, but at least Nate’s show does not center around pop culture.

Nate may be little in size, but plays big when it counts, like in the playoffs. He is averaging 17 points per game for the Bulls backing up Kirk Hinrich. During the regular season, Robinson hit a career best seven three-pointers over the Mavs on March 30th.

Donnie Nelson’s and Mark Cuban’s biggest hole to fill on the roster is point guard. Darren Collison, who they signed in the offseason to replace Jason Kidd, lost his starting job to 37-year old veteran Mike James respectfully. As much as Collison says he wants to be an elite point guard in the NBA, he played better coming off the bench. Nate Robinson needs to be on the Mavs’ radar for free agent point guards.

The city of Dallas may be more appealing to Nate than playing with the Mavericks. He is a big football fan, and there is not better place to watch a football game than at Cowboys Stadium. He wears the No. 2 because his favorite player growing up wore the same number, Deion Sanders. Sounds like a good fit to me.