Will a MMBT5087 saturate with a 1K resistor in the base?
"Saturation" is usually defined as the point where hFE drops to 10. So work out the voltage across the base resistor (without chasing your circuit and datasheet, I'm guessing 5V - Vbe = 4.3V), so 4.3ma base current. So, if your load current Ic &lt; 43mA, the transistor is technically in saturation. If I've guessed wrong, put in the correct numbers and decide for yourself.