Author: Monojit Mandal
The Philadelphia 76ers are preparing for the upcoming NBA season with a significant addition to their already solid roster. The Sixers have signed point guard Kelly Oubre, according to prominent sports journalist Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Oubre, who spent the last two seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Oubre’s arrival comes as the 76ers begin a critical phase of rebuilding their rotation, necessitated by significant departures in the offseason. George Niang went to the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Jalen McDaniels went to the Toronto Raptors. These departures created a gap in the Sixers’ line-up, requiring them to look for new players.
Kelly Oubre, who is no stranger to change, will wear the uniform of his sixth NBA franchise. However, his contract this time is different from his previous rich partnerships. According to Derek Bodner of PhlySports, Oubre will earn the veteran’s minimum salary of around $2.9 million. In comparison, their profits during the 2022/23 season were a substantial $12.6 million.
Securing Oubre’s services marks a significant step forward for the 76ers, as it solidifies their position by landing one of the best players on the free agent market. Last season, Oubre showed his talent by averaging an impressive 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, all while averaging 32.3 minutes on the court per night. Although Oubre was projected to be a reserve in Philadelphia, the uncertainty surrounding James Harden’s availability may force him to take on a more important role.
Philadelphia had a turbulent free agency season, with James Harden initially accepting a one-year contract extension, but then demanding a renegotiation. Despite the initial cloud of uncertainty, the franchise managed to sign several notable players, such as Montrezl Harrell, Paul Ree and the acquisition of Mo Bamba. Bamba arrived from the Los Angeles Lakers. The team’s ranks have been further strengthened with the addition of energetic playmaker Patrick Beverley and the return of experienced veteran Danny Green.
On the other hand, discussions about extending the contract of Tyrese Maxey, one of the team’s stars, are still ongoing. Maxey’s contract, which is about to expire, is worth US$4.3 million; in addition, he stood out as the Sixers’ third-leading scorer, with an impressive 20.3 points per game.