While the Philadelphia 76ers are still in the thick of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, there will have a good justification if they already set their sights on the offseason. After all, 10 of their 18 players (including two-way guys) will be hitting the open market this summer, sparking another opportunity for the team to go through another drastic roster turnover.
If anything, though, the 76ers have one player in particular whom they simply cannot afford to let go of in free agency, who is none other than Kelly Oubre Jr. The veteran remains a vital part of this group, and the team's recent shift perfectly reflects what they feel about the veteran's fit and overall viability with the squad.
After spending some time coming off the bench, Nick Nurse and his staff have decided to reintegrate him into the starting lineup once again despite the team being fully healthy at this juncture (save for Cameron Payne). Dominick Barlow, who has started in most of the games this season, was the casualty this time, which only goes to show how important Oubre is in the eyes of the team.
The 76ers cannot afford to lose Kelly Oubre Jr. in free agency
Oubre has had better seasons from a numbers standpoint, but his 11th year as a pro has arguably been one of, if not his most impactful solo campaign yet. With only three games left on their slate, Oubre has turned in 14.1 points, five rebounds, and 1.2 steals a night, including a career-best 36.4 percent shooting clip from beyond the arc.
Once billed as a one-dimensional player whose numbers are a result of an overblown usage on a bad team, Oubre has grown into a real, two-way player for the 76ers. Since stepping foot in Philly, he has become a more than serviceable defender, especially at the point of attack. His overall activity on that end has only made him a favorite of Nurse, who has basically deployed him as their Swiss Army knife.
Unlike in the last two instances when he hit the open market, the 76ers are probably not going to get any more discounts from the veteran's camp. Be that as it may, Oubre himself has always stated how he wanted to stay with the franchise, and his consistent role with the team might just given them an edge in a prospective bidding war.
Kelly Oubre has his flaws, but all players do. And with the Philadelphia 76ers, he has found a home where he can actually contribute to winning beyond the visceral numbers. Hopefully, both camps are able to come to terms on a proper deal in free agency.