The Sacramento Kings have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent center Orlando Robinson, according to sources from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. This signing comes as the Kings look to enhance their depth in the center position behind All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis.
The 24-year-old spent the last two NBA seasons with the Miami Heat after going undrafted out of Fresno State in 2022. During his tenure with the Heat, Robinson played in 67 regular season games, averaging 3.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in just under 11 minutes per game. His journey in Miami came to a halt earlier this month when the Heat waived him before his non-guaranteed salary for the 2024/25 season became fully guaranteed.
Following his release, Robinson showed his skills with the Houston Rockets’ Summer League team in Las Vegas. Over five appearances, he impressed with averages of 14.2 points and 9.4 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game, catching the attention of the Kings.
The Kings currently have limited options at the center position behind Domantas Sabonis. Alex Len is the only other traditional center on the roster, while Trey Lyles, who primarily plays as a power forward, can also be utilized in the center position. Veteran JaVale McGee, who played with the Kings at the end of last season, is still a free agent, which opens up opportunities for Robinson to earn playing time in Sacramento.
Robinson’s signing potentially addresses this gap, providing Sacramento with additional size and versatility in the paint. If Robinson can secure a spot on the regular-season roster, he could play a pivotal role as a backup center, offering the Kings more flexibility in their rotations.
While the specifics of Robinson’s contract with the Kings have not been disclosed, it is anticipated to be a veteran’s minimum deal and may not be fully guaranteed. This aligns with common practices for teams looking to evaluate players during training camps before committing to a guaranteed salary.
Upon the completion of Robinson’s deal, the Kings will have 14 players under standard contracts. The team’s three two-way slots are already filled, with 12 players holding fully guaranteed salaries for the 2024/25 season. Keon Ellis is currently on a non-guaranteed contract, indicating that the Kings are still shaping their final roster composition as they prepare for the upcoming season.
For Orlando Robinson, signing with the Sacramento Kings represents a fresh start and an opportunity to prove his value in the NBA. His size, defensive capabilities, and recent Summer League performance suggest he could be a valuable asset for a Kings team aiming to build on their recent successes and deepen their playoff runs. With training camps approaching, Robinson will aim to secure his place on the roster and contribute to the Kings’ aspirations in the Western Conference.
