Nuggets trade Nate Robinson to Celtics for Jameer Nelson
The Boston Celtics officially acquired point guard Nate Robinson from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for point guard Jameer Nelson on Tuesday night.
Nelson had not been happy since arriving in Boston from the Dallas Mavericks in the Rajon Rondo deal, and hasn't even played the last six games. While an ankle issue is partly to blame, Celts coach Brad Stevens chose to keep Nelson inactive over the weekend.
The trade was first reported by Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc Spears.
Multiple reports Tuesday indicated that Robinson's agent expects him to be bought out by the Celtics, with the Los Angeles Clippers as a potential destination for him. Robinson has an expiring contract.
Nate Robinson's camp expects him to be bought out by Boston. A reunion w/ Clippers' Doc Rivers is definitely in the cards, but not for sure.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 13, 2015
For Nelson, his season began with a contender in Dallas, and now has him headed to what is likely another lottery team.
The logic for the trade from the Nuggets' perspective may be tough to figure, depending on who you ask. They're giving up an expiring contract in Robinson in exchange for Nelson, who has a player option for next season.
This seems to fly in the face of the narrative that Denver was in the mode of stockpiling futures after dealing Timofey Mozgov to Cleveland. They're also rumored to have either or both of Wilson Chandler and Arron Afflalo on the block.