Warriors' Robinson traded to Nets

[Twix]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?id=1991496


Warriors give up two draft picks in deal

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
The New Jersey Nets will acquire Clifford Robinson from Golden State later Monday in exchange for two future second-round picks and a Nets trade exception worth roughly $5 million, according to league sources.


At this stage of his career, Robinson is a defensive specialist who can guard big men of various sizes and still occupy defenses occasionally with his shooting range. Minnesota's Kevin Garnett once described Robinson as "hands-down the best defensive player in the league."

After unexpectedly emerging as the Warriors' starting center for much of the season, the 6-foot-10, 240-pounder also holds appeal in the trade market because his salary is reasonable ($5.3 million) and because his contract expires at season's end.

New Jersey showed interest in Robinson even before the Nets began to climb in the Atlantic Division standings behind a rejuvenated Vince Carter.



Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here. Also, click here to send a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.

 

[Bricklayer]

Why in the hell would the Nets do this? What a bunch of dopes.

 

[bdouble013]

Hey it keeps Uncle Cliffy away from the Spurs, which is always good in my book.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Nets must think Uncle Cliffie still has enough gass in the tank to help them on the defensive end since Vince can't even spell defense. At 22-29 Jersey is in a precarious position in a very week confrence. they COULD make the the paly off but can't compeet there. So then you have a weak team with lousy draft picks and high dollar roster that precludes a decent FA signing. I doubt Cliffie will help but who can blame them for tossing out some second roud picks and an exemption as a hail Mary?

 

[iheartBrad]

^i know right

they are definetly giving him a chance...but Cliffs career is just spiraling downward...if i were him i would hang it up...but im not him and apparently he still wants to play basketball

 

[sloter]

Not a bad temporary replacement for Jefferson.

 

[SacTownKid]

I wondered why the Warriors would do this but now I see they got a huge trade exception. GOOD GOING MULLIN!!! That was actually a pretty good move.

 

[Dave McNulla]

well, there's nobody left for the spurs to pick up.

 

[Bricklayer]

I'm not at all sure you should have been interested in the single worst rebounding big man in the game, and a notorious playoff choker, anyway.