Andre Roberson spent seven seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but after his injury that cost him almost two full seasons and OKC decide to enter a rebuild, he and the team parted ways.
Two months into the 2021 season, Roberson has finally found a new home. Reports broke that signed with the Brooklyn Nets late Monday night, where he will join former Thunder teammates including Kevin Durant and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.
Roberson will have a chance to provide defensive acumen to a Nets team that is struggling to defend anyone in the league.
The deal is non-guaranteed and for one year, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
Yahoo Sports’ Keith Smith described it as “essentially a one-week tryout.”
Sounds like Andre Roberson's deal is essentially a one-week tryout. It's non-guaranteed. If he looks good, then he'll stick and stay on the roster. If not, Nets will likely waive him before his deal become guaranteed next week. If healthy, he could really help Brooklyn a lot.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 16, 2021
Nevertheless, it’s a chance. Roberson is a player with the abilities that the Nets need.
During his prime, Roberson emerged as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA with the ability to guard several positions. The last time he took the court in the NBA bubble, he was still recovering from the knee injury that cost him two seasons. He didn’t look the same, though he showed some flashes of strong and intelligent play.
Since trading for James Harden, the Nets have averaged the most points per game (121.4) and are tied for the second-best offensive rating in the league (120.2).
If they’re not title favorites, though, it’s largely because the defense is one of the worst in the league. They have allowed 117.7 points per game since the trade, the third-worst in the league, and their defensive rating of 118.1 is fourth-worst.
The Nets can hope Roberson provides some balance to that and help on defense.
An NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection in 2016-17, this is what Roberson built his career on. He’s found a team in which he won’t have to be a source of offense.
Roberson has only played seven games in about three years, so there’s no guarantee, but it presents a good opportunity for both sides.
This post originally appeared on OKCThunderWire. Follow us on Facebook!
