Anthony

Roberson

Jones had started five straight games in the wake of Thabo Sefolosha’s place, but coach Scott Brooks wasn’t happy with his defense. That’s where Andre Roberson excels. Jones came off the bench for seven points and five rebounds against the Lakers, leaving the Thunder’s two-guard spot as a fantasy black hole.

“I think his chances are good to make the roster early,” George Karl said before Sunday night’s preseason game at Detroit. Roberson led the Nuggets with 22 points and handed out four assists, although they lost 109-106. Point guard Anthony Carter suffered a broken right hand Oct. 6 and is expected to miss the first week or two of the regular season, opening the door for Roberson. However, once Carter is healthy, Roberson will likely be let go.

Roberson’s jumper pulled Denver within 105-104 with 27.6 seconds left, but Detroit pulled away late to notch the victory. The Nuggets bench came through with 75 of their 106 total points, as Bobby Jones scored 17 and Von Wafer added 16. All three are playing for a spot at the end of Denver’s bench.

After coming to Chicago as part of the Larry Hughes trade in February of last season, Roberson appeared in just six games and averaged 3.8 minutes per contest.

Neither player had a legitimate shot at making the regular season roster. The Clippers are expected to decide by Thursday whether they will retain perimeter specialist Kareem Rush.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh was waiting to add another backcourt player before he made a move with Marbury. And with Roberson locked up, he can now move ahead. Roberson scored 22 points in his summer-league debut with the Knicks. The signing will give the Knicks 16 players with guaranteed contracts, which is one over the limit. They may buyout Marbury by the end of the week, while the team has also considered waiving center Jerome James, who played five minutes last season and still has knee pain.

Terms of the pact were not disclosed, although the New York Post reports it is a two-year deal with the first year at league minimum for a third-year player ($790,000) with the second year yet to be determined. This could signal the end of Stephon Marbury’s time in New York, as the Knicks now have 16 players under contract, one above the league maximum. Stay tuned.

He was recalled from RimRockers, but will have no fantasy value this season.

He was averaging 1.6 points in 10 games this year.

Roberson averaged 17.7 points in his stint in the Developmental League. He’s not expected to have much of a role on Memphis’ deep squad.