5 ideal destinations for Oubre
Kelly Oubre Jr.’s value to Phoenix isn’t in question.
He’s not only the team’s best and most explosive athlete and one of their top players, Oubre provides energy and enthusiasm. Whether he’s playing or not, Oubre gets the team going.
Those same qualities are why he’s constantly mentioned in trade rumors, too.
Oubre was traded on draft day in 2015. Phoenix received him in a trade with Washington.
His name surfaced right before last season’s trade deadline.
With a year remaining on Oubre’s contract, the Suns could risk losing him for nothing as he’ll be an unrestricted free agent after next season.
He epitomizes and defines their “Valley Boyz” mentality, but teams would be willing to give the Suns quite a bit in return for his services. Phoenix may believe they can get the same production out of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson as they do Oubre.
Not nearly as electrifying, but two points is two points whether it’s by way of an emphatic dunk over Paul George or off a backdoor feed from Ricky Rubio.
Last season, Oubre Jr. averaged a career-high 18.7 points on 45.2% shooting (career-high 35.2% from 3) on 14.8 shot attempts a game, which is also a career high.
Bridges and Johnson averaged a combined 17.9 points on 47.5% shooting (37.5 from 3) on 13.7 shot attempts per game.
Several teams could really use Oubre. Injuries have ended his last two seasons, but he has freakish athletic ability and still hasn’t reached his full potential.
Looking into the hypothetical future, here are five ideal destinations for the explosive talent.
Phoenix Suns
Oubre had a career year last season with the Suns and could even better in a second season under Monty Williams. Need to make some tweaks, though. Less time standing in the corner for Oubre and more moving and coming off screens to get to the rim. He’s mostly a finisher of plays right now. Being able to create for others should be a goal along with improving his defensive discipline.
Golden State Warriors
Playing Oubre alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green would be scary. He’s what Andrew Wiggins should be in terms of playing aggressive.
Again, he’d have to improve his playmaking as Oubre is averaging less than one assist a game for his career, but the Warriors don’t have a player with his combination of elite athleticism and high energy.
How to make that happen: Trade Oubre and 10th overall pick to Warriors for second overall pick in 2020 draft.
What Suns get out of deal: They could use that pick to take Obi Toppin to address their need at the four.
Los Angeles Lakers
Pairing
Oubre
with
LeBron
James and Anthony Davis as a third option further improves the Los Angeles Lakers’ chances to repeat.
Oubre shot a better percentage overall than Danny Green did in the regular season (41.6%) and nearly the same percentage from 3 (36.7%).
Green also got more open looks as James led the league in assists. Oubre would be another wing to help the Lakers defend against the Los Angeles Clippers.
How to make that happen: Trade Oubre for Green and 28th overall pick in 2020 draft.
What Suns get out of deal: Yes, he missed a wide open 3 to close out the finals in Game 5, but Green is a career 40% shooter from 3. He's won three NBA titles with three different teams. Very solid defender. Winner.
Brooklyn Nets
Again, Oubre as a third option makes him more difficult to guard.
The Nets have as good a 1-2 punch in the league as any team in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving – and the two haven’t even played a game together yet. Oubre won’t get as many shots playing alongside Durant and Irving, but the Nets are going to run and play fast with Steve Nash as head coach.
Fits right into Oubre’s strengths.
How to make that happen: Trade Oubre for Spencer Dinwiddie and Jarrett Allen.
What Suns get out of deal: A point guard good enough to start in Dinwiddie and a backup big to Deandre Ayton in Allen, who is also a shot blocker.
Orlando Magic
Oubre would be unleashed here.
The Magic are who they are right now and aren’t going to get much better even with a healthy Aaron Gordon. Oubre would get his shots and play alongside a versatile big man in Nikola Vucevic. Magic have some nice pieces.
Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross can play. Markelle Fultz is improving. Oubre could be a building block for their future.
How to make that happen: Trade Oubre, Ty Jerome and 10th overall pick for Gordon and 15th overall pick.
What Suns get out of deal: A more athletic starting power forward in Gordon. They can then play Bridges at his natural three position and still have a first-round pick.
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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