Former Golden State Warriors wing Kelly Oubre Jr. has had a puzzling NBA career, combining consistent production with a significant lack of playoff success.
The Warriors notably went from missing the playoffs to winning a championship after Oubre's exit, and the Philadelphia 76ers could now hand the 30-year-old a similarly painful twist following his move to the Indiana Pacers in free agency.
76ers can hand Kelly Oubre Jr. same brutal blow Warriors once did
As much as the Pacers have been credited for signing Oubre to a two-year, $16.5 million contract, his former team have no regrets and are being regarded as the biggest winner of the offseason after trading for Jaylen Brown and then acquiring LeBron James in a pair of blockbuster moves.
The arrivals of Brown and James have catapulted Philadelphia into the championship conversation, and there's a genuine argument that they have the best team on paper in the entire league once you throw Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe and Joel Embiid into the equation.
Even with some injury and fit concerns, the 76ers will assuredly be better than their 45-37 record last season. While that will stem from Brown and James, along with internal development from Maxey, Edgecombe and others, there's no hiding from the fact it will also coincide with Oubre's departure from the team.
Oubre played three years in Philadelphia where he played a major role and where his numbers were remarkably consistent, but the team won only one playoff series that came this year against the Boston Celtics after trailing 3-1.
That's almost the story of Oubre's career, and will become even more so if the 76ers go onto significant success next season, and if he can't help the Pacers bounce back into the playoffs after a gap year following their NBA Finals appearance in 2025.
Kelly Oubre Jr. exit was addition by subtraction for Warriors
As harsh as it may sound, the Warriors were simply a better team without Oubre despite averaging a reasonable 15.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in 55 games during his lone year with the franchise in the 2020-21 season.
Golden State went 12-3 without Oubre at the end of that season, started 18-2 the next year after the former 15th overall pick left for the Charlotte Hornets, and ultimately won the championship to complete a remarkable turnaround from the previous two campaigns.
Perhaps it's slightly unfair to paint Oubre in such a light, but it's also a reality that could come to frutition once again after a dream offseason for the 76ers.
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