Fansided

Nate Robinson surprisingly cut by New Orleans Pelicans

By John Buhler

Oct 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Nate Robinson (2) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard C.J. Watson (32) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Nate Robinson (2) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic guard C.J. Watson (32) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nate Robinson made it two games with the 2015-16 New Orleans Pelicans before being cut by the franchise.

According to David Aldridge of Turner Sports, diminutive NBA veteran guard Nate Robinson was surprisingly cut by his newest team, the New Orleans Pelicans, just two games into the 2015-16 NBA Season.

Robinson signed with the New Orleans Pelicans to a one-year deal on October 16th, as the team entered the season already depleted. Major players for the Pelicans in Tyreke Evans, Omer Asik, and Norris Cole will all miss significant time with injuries.

Though it seemed that Robinson would stick in the Crescent City, new head coach Alvin Gentry and general manager Dell Demps apparently didn’t see the veteran guard as a long-term solution for the Pelicans.

The odd part about it is that Nate Robinson plays hard and could have conceivably helped the Pelicans who have often-injured players like Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday on their active roster. Should either one of their better players go down like Evans, Asik, and Cole did, who could help superstar Anthony Davis get this team back in the playoffs?

The basketball world believes that hiring Alvin Gentry will help this team achieve more, despite being a top ten offense in the NBA last season under then head coach Monty Williams. The real key move made to the Pelicans’ coaching staff is the wonderful addition of defensive guru Darren Erman.

Though Nate Robinson is likely a 13th to 15th man on an NBA roster at this point in his career, the Pelicans desperately needed depth with so many out due to injury. It’ll be hard for the New Orleans Pelicans to get back into the Western Conference Playoffs with an 11-man rotation being their entire healthy, active roster. It looks like New Orleans will roll with 14 (three injured) for now.

Perhaps Nate Robinson gets another opportunity with a struggling Eastern Conference team in need of guard depth and a competitive veteran presence. Would the Philadelphia 76ers make sense for Robinson? Will he return to the New York Knicks? Can he still play in the Atlantic Division of the NBA?

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