NBA Trade: 3 Teams that could complete a trade for Andre Roberson

Andre Roberson is expected to be traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder
Andre Roberson is expected to be traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder

Back in the summer of 2017, Andre Roberson agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Roberson was expected to play a significant role on a Thunder team that had title aspirations, and the guard put in some of the best performances of his career during the opening months of the 2017-18 season.

However, he suffered a serious injury against the Detroit Pistons back in January 2018, and the 27-year-old has yet to make another appearance for the Thunder. After almost two years out, Roberson has finally regained fitness, although he has returned to a Thunder team that is no longer looking to contend.

With just a year remaining on his contract, it is expected that the Thunder will trade Roberson, and here we will assess three potential landing spots.


#3 Los Angeles Clippers

Andre Roberson would further improve an already impressive Clippers defense
Andre Roberson would further improve an already impressive Clippers defense

Roberson's former OKC teammate Paul George headed to the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this summer, and the team now possesses the fiercest defense in the NBA. George and Kawhi Leonard are among the best two-way players in the league, while Patrick Beverley also offers plenty of hustle.

Nevertheless, the addition of Roberson could further enhance LA's defensive unit, while also taking away some responsibility from either George or Leonard.

While Roberson offers little in the way of attack, he thrives on his ability to make stops and his addition would allow LA to suffocate opponents. The Clippers acquired Maurice Harkless as part of a four-team trade earlier this summer, and a deal centered around swapping the former Portland man for Roberson would work.

The Thunder and Clippers already worked together on the trade for PG13 earlier this summer, and Sam Presti should have no objections to taking on Harkless' expiring deal.

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#2 Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are lacking backcourt depth
The Detroit Pistons are lacking backcourt depth

The Detroit Pistons are among the NBA's biggest wildcards heading into the new season. They fluctuated between being excellent and woeful during the 2018-19 season, and after squeezing into the playoffs, we never got the chance to see the real Pistons due to Blake Griffin's injury issues.

Nevertheless, Griffin and Andre Drummond have returned for another season, while the Pistons also managed to sign the resurgent Derrick Rose.

While the team can field both Rose and Reggie Jackson at point guard, Bruce Brown is a significant weakness in Detroit's backcourt. The shooting guard managed just 4.3 points and 2.5 rebounds last season while shooting less than 40% from the field, which are numbers that pale in comparison even to the defensive-minded Roberson.

Ultimately, Detroit needs to make an upgrade if they are to reach their full potential, and a trade could be built around Langston Galloway's expiring deal.

#1 Miami Heat

Andre Roberson could head to the Heat as part of a bigger trade for Chris Paul
Andre Roberson could head to the Heat as part of a bigger trade for Chris Paul

While there is no doubting what Andre Roberson brings to a team, the reality of the situation is that the 27-year-old is likely to be included as part of an expanded trade due to OKC's desire to offload their remaining high earners.

Chris Paul is set to earn more than $120 million over the next three seasons, and the Miami Heat have been the only team to show any interest in the 34-year-old.

Speculation has ramped up in recent weeks that CP3 could move to Miami sooner rather than later, and the inclusion of Roberson in any deal is probable. While Paul would dominate the Heat backcourt, Roberson would also be an underrated pickup for a side that believes they can challenge in the East.

The Heat would have to send Goran Dragic, James Johnson, and one of their promising young talents to OKC, although a deal suits both teams, and Miami appears to be Roberson's most likely destination.

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Edited by Arvind Sriram