NBA free agency: Timberwolves express interest in Thomas Robinson

The Lakers kept reserve forward Thomas Robinson to make his contract guaranteed on Jan. 10, 2017. Photo credit: Hans Gutknecht/Southern California News Group.

The Minnesota Timberwolves expressed interest in free-agent forward Thomas Robinson, according to a league source familiar with the situation.

It remains unclear if the Lakers retain Robinson considering they have a heavy frontcourt in fourth-year forward Julius Randle, third-year forward Larry Nance Jr., veteran forward Luol Deng and rookie forward Kyle Kuzma. The Lakers also waived reserve forward Tarik Black on Saturday, three days before his $6.6 million contract would have become guaranteed for the 2017-18 season.

But the Lakers liked the 26-year-old Robinson for his hustle that yielded 5.0 points on 53.6 percent shooting and 4.6 rebounds in 11.7 minutes through 48 games. Robinson also had a cap-friendly contract just under $1 million.

The Sacramento Kings drafted Robinson fifth overall in 2012 before having short stints in Sacramento (2012-13), Houston (2013), Portland (2013-14), Philadelphia (2014-15) and Brooklyn (2015-16). After granting Robinson an invitation to training camp last year, the Lakers kept him through rounds of roster cuts and throughout the rest of the season.

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