Sixers Tinder: Thomas Robinson Forever

After the Sacramento Kings selected Thomas Robinson with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, it quickly became clear the Kansas product was yet another casualty to the "drafted-to-the-wrong-place" phenomenon across the NBA. Unfortunately for Kings fans, Sacramento was been "the wrong place" for everyone for almost a decade now.

Robinson was a hybrid forward. At 6-9, he wasn't quite big enough to score against opposing power forwards on the block and he lacked the speed and shooting ability to contribute offensively on the perimeter. Still, with his impeccable motor and off-the-charts athleticism, he was bound to find a niche in the NBA somewhere, right?

Just three years later, it took three trades for Robinson to finally find a home in the NBA. He's the perfect Sixer in this tanktastic rebuilding era: A Tasmanian devil with zero offensive skill who plays with a relentless motor, giving 139 percent, 100 percent of the time.

What that says about Robinson is up to you. Some may view this destiny as a horrible outcome for a top-five draft pick. Others will watch Robinson throw himself into 17 defenders and somehow come up with a loose rebound and they will go to sleep every night praying to the lord how thankful they are for Robinson being in Philadelphia.

I happen to fall in the latter category. If you're reading this blog, you likely do as well.

Robinson arrived in the best way ever: Sam Hinkie swooped in and claimed him off waivers just hours before he was set to sign a 10-day contract to help the Brooklyn Nets' "playoff push." Who knows? Maybe Robinson's reckless abandon off the bench may have helped Brooklyn push the Hawks even further. Robinson was admittedly frustrated with the news of coming to Philadelphia. Now he's in love with Brett Brown's coaching staff and this motley crew of scrappy "who-he-play-fors?"

There's a million other reasons to give why the Sixers should swipe right and re-sign T-Rob as a free agent. After all, shouldn't we award straight HUSTLE?

Note: This article has been updated to reflect that Robinson does not have a team option and will be a free agent this summer.