The Philadelphia 76ers expected Kelly Oubre Jr. to be a key part of the rotation this season, but they probably did not envision him turning in a potential breakout year in his 11th season as a pro. Yet here we are, six games into the season and the team touting an impressive 5-1 win-loss card, with the flashy veteran playing like an absolute stud to kick things off.
So far, Oubre has registered 19.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per outing on an impressive 52.6 percent shooting from the field while also canning a career-high 41.7 percent of his three-point tries. He is off to a blistering start for the 76ers, still entrenching himself as a clear-cut starter for this ball club and proving a lot of fans –– us included –– wrong.
Now, those figures will probably not hold up for an entire season, especially with the 76ers welcoming back both Jared McCain and Paul George in a short while. Those are a couple of mouths to feed for this group, and sooner than later, Oubre will find himself reprising his role as a complementary piece in the starting unit.
However, if he keeps this up, the front office could find itself facing a highly difficult question next summer.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is forcing the 76ers into a tough spot
Given his many red flags, people were ready for the 76ers to cut ties with Oubre. While he made strides on defense since coming to Philly, his fit with the team was pretty dangling and clunky at best. Last season, he was one of the worst perimeter operators in the league, draining just 29.3 percent of his total attempts from rainbow country. His tunnel vision when he resorts to rim-running, which is one of his main selling points, also derailed the scoring attack.
If we were to make an inference, the front office also probably thought that letting his contract expire was probably the way to go. After all, he is not really making a considerable amount of money for a key role player, and his expiring deal does not figure to harm their financial flexibility anyway.
Well, that could change now.
As long as Oubre remains a tenable three-and-D option who can create his own shot, which is a very valuable mix of skills for a role player, the 76ers will have to pay up to keep him in the city. So far, the front office has allowed the market to dictate his price tag, but teams are bound to take at least constructive notice of his solid production from the forward position. The market could shape up in such a way as to pressure the front office into extending him the proverbial pay raise.
Of course, his body of work for an entire season will be the one put into consideration when the time for ultimate reckoning comes, but for now, Kelly Oubre Jr. is looking like he could be a real fixture for the 76ers. But even with his price tag starting to get steep, one can only hope that he keeps his level of play up.
After all, he has become that crucial for this ball club.