Christon, Johnson among roster-spot options for OKC

It’s only July, but the Thunder’s starting lineup appears all but set.

Oklahoma City’s roster questions are further down the line.

The Thunder has added two probable starters this offseason, acquiring small

forward Paul George via trade and signing freeagent power forward Patrick

Patterson. They’re likely to start alongside returnees Russell Westbrook, Andre Roberson and Steven Adams. There are seven other players under guaranteed contracts: center Enes

Kanter, forwards Jerami Grant, Doug McDermott, Kyle

Singler and Josh Huestis and guards Alex Abrines and Raymond Felton, who along with Patterson signed his contract Monday night.

Rookie Terrance Ferguson has yet to sign with the Thunder as the 19-yearold small forward — who played professionally last season in Australia — awaits FIBA clearance to play in the NBA. The expectation is that he’ll ultimately sign and have a roster spot.

That would leave Oklahoma City with two spots to fill if it intends to carry a full 15-man roster.

One of those likely will go to free-agent forward Nick

Collison if he wants it. The 15th spot still is up in the air, and the Thunder has some options with it.

OKC could retain point guard Semaj Christon. But Felton figures to take on the role Christon played as Westbrook’s primary backup, and the two years remaining on Christon’s contract aren’t guaranteed.

If the Thunder wiaves Christon by Saturday, it could get his $1.3 million salary off the books for 2017-18. That could be significant for a team with a team’s payroll is above both the $99 million NBA salary cap and the $119 million taxpayer line.