4 Free agents the Philadelphia 76ers must not re-sign this offseason
4. Kelly Oubre Jr. — SF/SG (UFA, Non-Bird)
A suprising minimum-value signing, Kelly Oubre Jr. landed in Philadelphia hoping to recoup his value after a deflating free agency last summer from a pecuniary view. He’s undoubtedly outplayed his contract with his positive play this season as one of the team’s designated scorers off the bench, but there’s almost a zero chance that the 76ers bring him back next season, albeit involuntarily.
Oubre has played his way into a big payday in the offseason. However, the truth is the 76ers are simply limited as regards the amount of money they can tender to him in bidding. Philly can offer him just 120% of his current rate as the starting salary of his new deal, and it’s almost a guarantee that another team will extend him an offer more than at least the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which amounts to $13 million.
Still, both parties knew that this was the case, and the 76ers should already be prepared for this. As alternative, the front office can instead shift their focus on perhaps convincing Nicolas Batum to return for another season and not retire or look at more proven commodities at the wing positions.