The Philadelphia 76ers will not have many regrets about their additions in free agency, but they still lost a couple of significant contributors from last season. One of those is Kelly Oubre Jr., who ended up signing a deal with the Indiana Pacers. Well, the front office effectively replaced him with Dean Wade, who is touted as a safer bet with his skill set. That being said, now that the veteran is in an ideal situation, he could end up being a thorn in Philly's side this coming season.
It is difficult to envision a scenario wherein the 76ers actually regret passing up on re-signing Oubre, given that they have LeBron James and Wade taking his spot, but one dimension to this switcheroo that does not get talked about enough is the fact that he will now be playing for the Pacers, a team that is basically tailor-made for him to fully thrive.
Simply put, Oubre could exact some payback on the 76ers this season by becoming a vital piece for the Pacers.
Kelly Oubre Jr. could be a thorn in the 76ers side this season
Oubre enjoyed arguably his most impactful season in the league last season with the 76ers with his career-best shooting clip from beyond the arc and noticeable leap on the defensive end. Now, he brings those qualities to a Pacers team deploying an offensive attack designed to highlight his skills.
The veteran is expected to come off the bench in Indy, but he will most likely still register significant court time on a nightly basis. The Pacers, true to their name, like to push the pace up and with high-caliber playmakers surrounding him in Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and TJ McConnell, Oubre has an ample opportunity to be one of the best bench players in the league.
The Pacers somehow do not get enough attention as a possible contender, but their core made the Finals just last year. With Haliburton now back, the 76ers cannot afford to underestimate Indiana, especially with Oubre being there to bolster their already lethal second unit.
In a possible playoff series between both squads, Oubre's two-way prowess and knowledge about how the 76ers operate could especially prove to be tough to deal with for Philly. There is obviously nothing personal between Oubre and his former ball club, but surely, he will savor the chance to prove to the latter that they should have mounted a stronger bid to keep him.
For those reasons, the 76ers should be extra cautious about the Pacers next season. After all, Kelly Oubre is already on that side, ready to unleash his gifts with an Indiana team built to make him shine.
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