OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Two people with knowledge of the negotiations say the Golden State Warriors are close to signing guard Nate Robinson, who was released by the Oklahoma City Thunder last month.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal was yet to be finalized or formally announced by Golden State. The Bay Area News Group first reported the pending signing of Robinson, who would join a small backcourt also featuring Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry. Fellow former University of Washington star Isaiah Thomas of the Sacramento Kings first tweeted the news.
Robinson, the three-time NBA Slam Dunk champion, will provide depth at the guard spot as Curry has already sprained his troublesome, surgically repaired right ankle twice this season after going through the same thing several times last year. At 5-foot-9, Robinson makes Curry and Ellis—each 6-foot-3—look big.
The Warriors are 2-3 under first-year coach Mark Jackson heading into Wednesday’s game at San Antonio.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti announced the 27-year-old Robinson’s release Dec. 24. Robinson didn’t attend Oklahoma City’s training camp after the lockout lifted, with Presti saying then that it was “unlikely he will have an opportunity to contribute on a nightly basis.”
A midseason acquisition last season from the Celtics, Robinson appeared in only four games with three playoff appearances during his short tenure with the Thunder. He averaged 3.3 points and 1.5 assists in 7.5 minutes per game.
Robinson, a seventh-year pro, was acquired from Boston as part of the deal that brought centerKendrick Perkins to the Thunder at the trade deadline last season.
During the offseason, Robinson was arrested for urinating in public outside a bookstore in a New York City suburb.
