The Philadelphia 76ers desperately want to put an end to their exhausting free agency deadlock with Quentin Grimes. And to get closer to that goal, shedding some salaries via trade to have the means to offer the restricted free agent more monee will be vital for the roster to finally get an air of finality with the 2025-26 season slowly creeping in.
And of course, a quick glance at the team’s salary books will give anyone a good idea as to which players the front office could jettison to free up cap space. Look no further than Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre Jr., who have both become expendable after the additions the 76ers made this summer.
While the former is an easy pick, Oubre deserves some benefit of the doubt. After all, he has been largely productive since setting foot in Philly a couple of years ago, making his heavily discounted deal look like one of the best bargains in the entire association.
However, his weaknesses have outshone his strengths, making him a player whom the front office should consider trading without really batting an eye. But as everyone already knows, the veteran is not fond of that idea.
Kelly Oubre Jr. gaslights 76ers fans in the worst way possible
Oubre recently went on record in social media to air his frustrations about 76ers fans wanting him out of the team, claiming that he does not feel the love from the fanbase and the city anymore.
But in all honesty, what he is referring to as a lack of reciprocation is based on valid grounds. While not everything in that regard is within his control, the 76ers simply do not have the personnel to hide his weaknesses, and it is not arbitrary if fans are desirous for a better and more well-rounded option.
Oubre has taken a leap on defense, but his lack of reliable shooting and tunnel vision on offense have made him a liability at times. The team’s litany of injuries — which forced him to take a more prominent role and as a result, more exposure to naysayers — definitely do not help his case, either.
It goes without saying that Oubre is being emotionally charged at the moment, which is likewise perfectly valid. But if the Philadelphia 76ers do end up shipping him elsewhere, he should be mindful that is was a choice on the merits, not mere pressure from fans.