Speculation around Oklahoma City Thunder wing Andre Roberson’s availability for bubble play continues.
On Tuesday during a media Zoom press conference, guard Dennis Schroder said Roberson is locked in defensively.
“Dre, he’s still got it on the defense end,” Schroder said. “We’ve played pickup a little bit in OKC. He looks pretty good; on the defensive end he’s a threat.
Roberson has been active in practice, and head coach Billy Donovan said that if he’s available he’ll play, according to Brandon Rahbar.
If Roberson is able to play, he could get immediate playing time. Schroder will miss time when his wife gives birth to their second child, and Roberson will get some of his minutes if that is the case.
But it’s worth keeping in mind that “available” and “healthy” are two different things. The Thunder still may feel this return would rush in a player who hasn’t played on the team in two and a half years.
On the other hand, the team has little time to see him before his contract expires. This offseason, the two parties will have to decide whether it is the mutual interest of both to remain in Oklahoma City or to pursue a role elsewhere.