Robinson is the big unknown in this year’s draft. That type of player is one Los Angeles can afford to take a chance on in what is effectively year one of their rebuild, after trading Blake Griffin in February.
The Clippers haven’t fully hit the reset button yet, hanging onto players like Tobias Harris and De’Andre Jordan as they attempt to walk the line between tanking and competing. I expect the team to finally be honest with itself this summer, trying to move Jordan if he takes his option for next season and remains with the team. They can also create flexibility by trading Patrick Beverley and attaching future assets to get off of Danilo Gallinari’s ill-advised salary.
Those moves would clear space for a player like Robinson to come in and learn through mistakes and experience. He has sky-high potential on defense, on par with guys like Mo Bamba and even Jaren Jackson Jr. His rim protection makes him look more like a volleyball player than a center, and his feet are quick enough to move his slender frame in space when ball-handlers squeeze free.
With their second pick in the first round, the Clippers should take advantage of their flexibility and take a risk on Robinson.