Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti gave an update on rehabbing swingman Andre Roberson on Friday, saying he has seen “impressive” clips of the 27-year-old as he continues his training in Texas, according to Erik Horne of The Oklahoman.
This is a good sign given Roberson hasn't played since January 2018 due to a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, plus further complications. In October 2018, he underwent another procedure to “alleviate irritation from a suture in his left knee.” Another surgery was needed in November 2018 to fix an avulsion fracture in that same knee.
Roberson had developed into a key member of the Thunder's rotation thanks to his elite perimeter defense. While his shooting from 3-point range and the free-throw line has always been problematic, he played over 30 minutes per game during the 2016-17 season thanks to that defense, averaging 6.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals and a block in 79 games.
Roberson appeared in 39 games during the 2017-18 season before the knee injury. He averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks in 26.6 minutes per game.
There will be questions about Roberson's effectiveness whenever he returns to the floor. If his defense takes a step back because of these surgeries, he may not see the court nearly as much because of his offensive limitations.
Andre Roberson is set to make $10.74 million in 2019-20 as part of the final year of a three-year, $30 million extension.
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