Per The Athletic’s Jared Weiss, the Maine Red Claws are expected to claim former fifth overall pick Thomas Robinson off of waivers on Sunday. Robinson was mistakenly awarded to the Red Claws on Saturday evening, 24 hours prior to when players are eligible to be claimed after signing a NBA G League contract.
The Red Claws, who are the Boston Celtics’ official NBA G League affiliate, have four games remaining on their schedule. Robinson, as Weiss notes, is hoping that an opportunity with the Red Claws helps him land with the Celtics prior to the postseason.
However, per Weiss, despite claiming Robinson off of waivers — fulfilling at least one of the big man’s wishes — Boston has offered Robinson no assurances that their final roster spot was available.
With an unfavorable buyout market having prevented them from adding a talented veteran, the Celtics have been reluctant to add a player to the margins unless there’s an injury (per the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach).
Nonetheless, with Robinson’s passionate style of play and his ability to defend on the perimeter, he may find himself being signed by Boston before their playoff run. Though he doesn’t provide any unique skill to their roster, when the postseason begins, there’s always a place for tough players willing to hustle and score inside. Robinson is just that type of player.
His biggest obstacle is that the Celtics boast solid depth at both power forward and center, so it’ll be tougher for him to make the roster than a guard.
