Suns stand pat on trades
The NBA trade deadline passed Thursday with Kelly Oubre Jr. remaining a key component for the Phoenix Suns (20-31) after the franchise was reportedly fielding calls from other teams. Oubre is averaging 18.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Kelly Oubre Jr.’s back on Twitter. He’s still with the Phoenix Suns.
All is well in the desert again.
The NBA trade deadline has come and gone Thursday with Oubre remaining a key component for the Suns (20-31) after the franchise was reportedly fielding calls from teams according to The New York Times’ NBA insider Mark Stein.
The Republic learned through multiple sources Wednesday night Phoenix wasn’t going to trade Oubre, who is having a career year.
Averaging 18.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and shooting 35.4% from 3, all career highs, Oubre scored a season-high 30 in Wednesday’s 116-108 loss at Detroit.
After the game, Oubre addressed the trade talk.
“We’re players in this game and at the end of the day, I can just play and control what I can control,” said Oubre, who is in his fifth NBA season. “The higher ups are going to do what they do to help organizations get better and you just got to deal with what comes with it.”
Stein reported Orlando “and others” made a pitch for Oubre, but the Suns appear to be staying intact. The Republic has learned through sources multiple teams were interested in Oubre, who Phoenix acquired in a trade last season from Washington.
The Suns also looked to make a trade for Detroit third-year guard Luke Kennard, but hit a snag with the protections on a first-round draft pick they looked to give the Pistons.
Jevon Carter and Elie Okobo were reportedly part of the deal, but Phoenix, as of the 1 p.m. Arizona time deadline, hadn’t made a deal.
So the Suns appear to be moving forward with an injury-filled roster that’s six games out of the eight and final playoff spot in the Western Conference held by Memphis.
Oubre’s value is high because he’s a very talented 24-year-old who only signed a two-year deal with the Suns. So Phoenix may be in this position again right before the next trade deadline, or earlier, with teams showing interest in Oubre.