Robinson Happy to Be an Ex-Clipper

James Robinson gave money back in order to leave the Clippers. Robinson still had two years left on his contract at $2.1 million annually with a third year option for the same amount when he agreed to a settlement just so he could join another NBA team.

He was released on March 18 by the Clippers. He signed with Minnesota on March 26.

“[I’m playing] with a professional team,” Robinson said of the Timberwolves, who lost to the Clippers on Thursday. “They treat you like a professional. And, the team is together. They want to win.

“This is the best decision by far . . . Here I go from not getting any minutes with a team that is . . . at the time and then I go to a playoff contending team and my first day I get 20 minutes.”

Robinson, who signed a second 10-day contract with Minnesota on Wednesday, sat out four games recently because of lower back spasms but he was not going to miss an opportunity to play against his former teammates.

“My back still hurts but you know I had to play this game,” said Robinson, who played with Minnesota in 1996-97. “This game means something. Not to come out to score 30 or 40 points. I just wanted to show them that they made a mistake by not playing me. I don’t have to score any points but as long as I contribute and [the Timberwolves] win, that’s all that matters to me. It’s nothing personal.”

Robinson, who averaged 20 minutes of playing time in 14 games with the Clippers this year, had 10 points in 18 minutes Thursday but missed a key free throw in the final minute.