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Golden State Warriors are fumbling Kelly Oubre situation

ByTony Pesta|
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 25: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on March 25, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 25: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on March 25, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

For a franchise that is ‘lightyears’ ahead of the competition, the Golden State Warriors seem to be botching their situation with Kelly Oubre Jr. in a strong way.

The Golden State Warriors are skating on thin ice with Kelly Oubre Jr. and it’s looking increasingly likely that they are fumbling the bag.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the situation:

  • Kelly Oubre will be a free agent at the end of the season
  • Kelly Oubre does not want to become the sixth man
  • The Warriors rejected numerous trades for Oubre

So, to summarize these three points very quickly, there is a valid reason to assume Oubre will leave the franchise in the summer if he is uncomfortable being the sixth man and there’s the potential he earns more money by testing the market. Even so, the Dubs clung tight to Oubre at the deadline and passed on numerous deals.

The most recent deal we are learning about is one that involved Lonzo Ball. According to Andrew Bogut, the Warriors rejected an offer for Ball and a pick – a decision that puzzled Bogut and the rest of us.

If we’re under the impression that Oubre doesn’t want to lead the bench (more on this later) then why wouldn’t the Warriors swing for a quality backup guard like Lonzo and build for next season. Ball is averaging 14.5 points, 5.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds for New Orleans, showing he can be an all-around positive contributor.

In addition to turning down Ball, the Warriors declined an offer for Spencer Dinwiddie. Again, choosing to keep a player who might leave anyway instead of accepting a trade for a guard who can benefit them more once Klay Thompson returns.

However, the biggest issue here is Oubre’s reluctance to come off the bench. This has more to do with Oubre’s pride than anything the Warriors’ front office has done and an anonymous member of the team has already spoken out:

"“Andre Iguodala a Finals MVP, was okay with coming off the bench, but we have Kelly moth******ing Oubre who won’t”Via The Basketball Podcast with Andrew Bogut"

While this anonymous quote sure sounds a lot like Draymond Green, we won’t make any assumptions. However, the point stands. If Oubre is going to refuse a smaller role in order to benefit the team – then why wouldn’t the Warriors trade him for a player who will?

It’s important to remember that things can change by the end of the season. Perhaps Oubre will embrace his role and return next season. For now, however, the Dubs’ front office is in a murky situation.

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