Donovan says Roberson participating in workouts
Thunder guard Andre Roberson has been participating in individual workouts at the team's practice facility, coach Billy Donovan said Wednesday on a video conference call.
“All of our guys have come in to work out periodically on their own time,” Donovan said. “Andre has been here going through all that stuff.”
Roberson hasn't played for the Thunder since Jan. 27, 2018, when he ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee. The Thunder is scheduled to resume the season Aug. 1 at Disney World against the Jazz. If Roberson plays, he will have overcome a layoff of more than 900 days since his last NBA game.
“It's hard for me to give a real assessment of where he's at, just because I haven't seen him play any five-on-five or anything like that,” Donovan said, “but the hope is to get to Orlando, and once we start practicing, to have him out there and actually find out where he's at and how he's doing.
“In my conversations with Andre, he feels really good. He feels like he's made really significant progress, so I'm really happy for him that he's in a good place and wants to see how he feels once we start playing five-on-five.”
Roberson's contract expires at the end of the season.
Luxury tax
The Thunder wil l pay a projected $2.5 million this season for being over the luxury tax line, ESPN's Bobby Marks reported Wednesday.
Team salaries are now frozen for tax purposes, according to Marks.
The Thunder's team salary ($133.8 million) is above the luxury tax level for the third consecutive season, but this year's bill is a sharp drop from the $61.6 million Oklahoma City owed last season.
The Trail Blazers, Heat and Timberwolves join the Thunder in being over the luxury tax, but the four teams will combine to commit just $11.9 million, Marks projected. That's the lowest amount since the tax was introduced in 2002-03.