#1 Defensive Specialist
While Roberson's game has plenty of shortcomings, there is no doubting his status as one of the NBA's elite defenders. Roberson was named to the 2017 All-Defensive team, and before sustaining a serious injury last January, many had tipped the forward as a potential candidate for the 2018 Defensive Player of the Year.
In addition to his individual recognition, Roberson's stopping ability has also made the Thunder a much better defensive team. Last season, OKC were 11.2 points per 100 possessions better defensively with Roberson on the floor, and during his absence, this season, OKC's defensive rating has continued to plummet.
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
Just like the Thunder, the Lakers have had an incredibly shaky defense all season long -- giving up 114 points per contest. James' defensive impact is also expected to further wane as he continues to age, and it makes sense for the franchise to bring in an elite defender such as Roberson.
OKC Thunder Fan? Check out the latest OKC Thunder depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.