Nate Duncan and Grant Liffmann talk about the potential of Glenn Robinson III returning to the Warriors on the latest episode of the “Runnin’ Plays” podcast.
On Feb. 6, before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the NBA regular season, the Warriors traded Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks to the Philadelphia 76ers for three second-round draft picks.
Both journeyman players were having career years for a Warriors team that eventually would finish with the worst record in the NBA. Robinson, who had never played more than 21 minutes per game in a season in his career prior to his arrival in San Francisco, ended up playing nearly 32 minutes per game and starting all 48 games played for the depleted Warriors.
With more minutes came greater confidence and production, resulting in career-highs in points per game (12.9), field goal percentage (48.1) rebounds (4.7), assists (1.8), and steals (.9). Robinson also shot a highly efficient 40 percent from deep, while effectively guarding the opponent's best wing player each and every night.
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In doing so, GRIII was hopeful that his better play would result in a big payday come free agency.
However, following a trade to the 76ers, Robinson's production and playing time fell considerably, and the combination of his relative obscurity in Philadelphia, coupled with the financial ramifications of the pandemic, have led many to wonder if he will have to settle for a veteran minimum contract yet again.
According to NBA analyst Nate Duncan, a reunion with the Warriors might be the best scenario for both parties.
"I think you could guarantee him at least 15 minutes on this team, if not even more than that," Duncan said on the latest episode of the "Runnin' Plays" Podcast.
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"I would expect if he plays the way he played last year, he could get into the 20-25 [minute] range."
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The Warriors are desperate for wing depth. Andrew Wiggins figures to be their starter in the spot, but after that, a majority of the roster factors to be made up of oversized guards or undersized power forwards. True wings are hard to come by, and if the Warriors could re-obtain Robinson's services, then they could fill a big void.
The big question mark is whether or not Robinson's production from last year, on a poor team, will translate to a contender.
"We have seen a lot of guys on this team from last year, like Eric Paschall, Mychal Mulder in limited minutes, Damion Lee, GRIII if he were to be back, these are guys that looked OK, but that wasn't a real team last year. It is hard to evaluate," Duncan explained.
While Burks would probably qualify more as a large guard, rather than a sturdy wing, he too is available on the market following a season with the Warriors in which he scored a career-high 16.1 points per game. While the mid-season trade to the Sixers took away some playing time for Burks, his efficiency increased following the move, as he shot 41.6 percent from deep in Philly.
So could he be the right guy to return to help the bench unit?
"Burks I don't know they would need as much," Duncan claimed. "I don't know if they need another ball handler, scorer type necessarily."
"Wiggins can create offense for you just as well as Alec Burks can on the second unit."
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With the free agency window starting Nov. 20, and signings allowed to commence on Nov. 22, the Warriors are just weeks away from being able to bring in reinforcements. A reunion is not guaranteed, but the interest between the Warriors and GRIII is sure to be mutual. The jury still is out on Burks.
