The Philadelphia 76ers should get rid of Kelly Oubre Jr. if they want to get back into contention. As Sam Vecenie astutely noted on the Game Theory Podcast, Oubre’s teams all seem to improve after he leaves. The Suns advanced to the NBA Finals in the season following his departure, and the Warriors won the championship the year after he left. Two teams trying to win made a massive improvement immediately following his tenure.
The Sixers have more questions than answers at this stage. Joel Embiid’s future health looks problematic, and Paul George is injured again. Philly has three talented guards who could become stars, but they need pieces around them. That only further highlights Oubre’s problematic fit.
Sixers fans know too well that Oubre Jr. looks to get his. He struggles to make jump shots, and the franchise has taken multiple steps backward in his two seasons in Philadelphia. They were bounced in the first round of the playoffs in 2024 before being in the lottery last season. The 6’8 forward deserves plenty of blame, and Morey knows what he must do.
76ers must get rid of Kelly Oubre Jr. to contend
Philly is light on forwards. They let Guerschon Yabusele walk to have the financial flexibility to re-sign Quentin Grimes and avoid the second apron. It leaves just Paul George, Oubre, and the newly signed Trendon Watford as true forwards on their roster. Head coach Nick Nurse will run plenty of small ball, but will have to count on Oubre Jr. heavily, especially with George’s injury history.
Oubre getting buckets and struggling to hit jumpers is not helping Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Jared McCain expand their games. The three guards are the future of the Sixers' next contending roster, and the franchise must maximize them. Oubre’s game simply doesn’t fit.
Philly know it is time to move on. Morey and the front office are just waiting for the right deal. That may not happen until February's trade deadline.
The 76ers need Embiid and George to be healthy to seriously contend. They are both on max contracts and take up nearly 70 percent of the team’s salary cap. Sadly, the front office is stuck. Neither player has trade value, and nobody knows when they will play next.
Oubre Jr. is on an $8.3 million expiring contract that Morey will look to trade for a 3-and-D wing. Someone who shoots over 37 percent from 3-point range and can guard multiple positions. The Sixers desperately need that piece to take some of the pressure off their guards on both ends of the floor.
The 76ers will have multiple chances to trade Kelly Oubre Jr. before the deadline. His expiring contract can go anywhere, but the franchise must find an upgrade. It will mean parting with draft capital, which is scary. Embiid and George are on the books for at least three more years. The draft pick could easily end up near the top of the lottery as the franchise tries to thread a needle with two soul-crushing contracts on their books.
The Philadelphia 76ers could be the next team to immediately make a leap when Oubre Jr. leaves town. They have three uber-talented guards looking to blossom into stars. Getting them a floor spacer is a must, and Morey should trade Kelly Oubre Jr. to make it happen.