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Golden State Warriors: 3 best forwards still available in free agency

By Peter O'Keefe

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 21: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on April 21, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 21: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on April 21, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Golden State Warriors in action against the Philadelphia 76ers during an NBA basketball game at Wells Fargo Center on April 19, 2021. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Golden State Warriors in action against the Philadelphia 76ers during an NBA basketball game at Wells Fargo Center on April 19, 2021. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

1. Kelly Oubre Jr.

Golden State are no strangers to Kelly Oubre Jr., but even for those who despised his lone season with the franchise, it’s surprising to see him remain a free agent for this long into the offseason.

Whatever you want to say about Oubre’s weaknesses, he’s probably the most talented forward available on the market. This is a player who averaged 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game last season.

Oubre’s impact on winning continues to be a question mark and it may now be catching up with him this offseason. The 27-year-old hasn’t been a part of a playoff team in the last five years, and Warrior fans will remember well that the team’s bright run to end the 2020-21 regular season came with Oubre injured on the sidelines.

The former lottery pick was traded to Golden State in November 2020, playing 55 games for the franchise which included 50 starts as Klay Thompson recovered from a torn achilles. While Oubre had stretches of impressive production, he was ultimately a poor fit and departed for Charlotte on a two-year, $24.6 million deal in the 2021 offseason.

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Could the Warriors reunite with Oubre in the coming weeks/months? It’s incredibly unlikely. He’ll assuredly want more than the minimum contract Golden State can offer, although the further it goes the more Oubre may need to accept such a deal. Regardless, everything the franchise has done this offseason suggests they’re done with the low IQ, ball-stopping scorers who struggle to fit Steve Kerr’s system.

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