Philadelphia 76ers add wing depth with Kelly Oubre signing
The Philadelphia 76ers added some much-needed wing depth with their newest free-agent signing. Kelly Oubre is signing a one-year contract with the Sixers for the upcoming season. Oubre, age 27, has played for four different teams in his relatively young career: Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and most recently Charlotte Hornets.
Kelly Oubre is coming off a career year with Charlotte.
Last season, he averaged career highs in points (20.3) and steals (1.4) per game on 43% shooting from the field and 32% shooting from three-point range. He is undeniably an absolute bucket and can get to the hoop at will, an extremely valuable skill for a wing player in this league. Oubre is not going to shoot the lights out, but he is enough of a shooting threat to be another asset on the Sixers roster that keeps defenders from helping out in the paint on Joel Embiid.
It is worth noting, that he had hand surgery during the 2022-23 season, however, he returned to form quickly with seven 20-point games in the final 13 games he played. The Hornets finished second to last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 27-55 and Oubre, as well as teammate Terry Rozier, had a green light whenever he wanted in Charlotte.
Why was Oubre still an unsigned free agent?
That question has to be considered when grading this signing for the Sixers. A 6’6″ athletic wing, a position always desired in the NBA, coming off a career year is unsigned until one month before the season starts. The reason most logical to me is that there have been questions about his effort throughout his tenure in the league; his talent is not the issue.
One thing that is clear, however, is that Oubre is a great addition to the Philadelphia 76ers. This roster has lacked the necessary wing depth for several years and it has been something the front office has confusingly left unaddressed. Oubre will likely fit into a sixth-man role with the potential to earn a starting spot depending on his play early in the season or on additional roster shakeups before the start of training camp. This move could also signify more moves in the near future for Daryl Morey and the Sixers. Who could be next?
