NBA Rumors: Andre Roberson appears to have no long-term future with the OKC Thunder

What's the rumor?

Andre Roberson has not made an NBA appearance since rupturing his left patellar tendon in January 2018 against the Detroit Pistons. Roberson was immediately ruled out for the rest of the season, and he also missed the entire 2018-19 campaign after suffering several setbacks.

Earlier this year, Roberson revealed that he would return 'pretty soon', although, with more than a month of the season now played, the 27-year-old's status remains a mystery. While Roberson could still make his return for the Thunder this season, Olivia Panchal of the Daily Thunder believes that his days at the team are numbered:

Roberson could still have a valuable defensive role on an NBA team. Unfortunately for Roberson, the long-term goals of the Oklahoma City Thunder shifted dramatically while he has been recovering and he might not have a spot on the Thunder for long, even if he does reinvent his game and improve his shooting.

In case you didn't know...

After being selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2013 draft, Roberson was traded to the Thunder on draft night. Roberson struggled to make an impact during his rookie year, although the guard established himself as a starter in the 14-15 season, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2017.

The heart of the matter

When Roberson suffered his injury back in January 2018, he was a pivotal part of an OKC team that had title aspirations. However, the team has since entered rebuild mode after trading Russell Westbrook and Paul George, and Roberson himself will hit free agency next summer - and Roberson's future appears to be elsewhere.

What's next?

The Thunder are in action tonight as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans.