Sixers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. is looking to revamp the attitude that made him a beloved figure in Philadelphia following an underwhelming, lottery-bound 2024/25 run, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
After a solid 2023/24 run, Oubre inked a two-year, $16.4MM deal in free agency last summer to stay with the Sixers. Despite re-signing Oubre and signing nine-time All-Star Paul George, Caleb Martin and Andre Drummond over the summer, among others, the Sixers struggled with health and chemistry issues, and ultimately went 24-58.
In 60 his healthy games this past season, Oubre averaged 15.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG and 1.8 APG. Although the 6’8″ pro had endeared himself to the Philadelphia faithful during his first year in town, Oubre felt a bit lost in the shuffle with all that losing this year.
“I’m bringing the swag back, and all I know is that I’ll come back better than I was this year,”Oubre said of his approach to 2025/26. “I’m going to Year 11 in my career. So it’s a blessing. I’m blessed to still be here… But at the end of the day, man, I’m not satisfied with the way I’m perceived by you guys, fans, for what I do bring to the NBA. So tsunami’s back.”
There’s more out of the City of Brotherly Love:
- Sixers head coach Nick Nurse may not have been the problem during last year’s lost season, but he’ll need more injury luck out of his roster next season to prove it, opines Pompey in another piece. Philadelphia GM Daryl Morey asserted that both he and Nurse would return for at least next year. As Pompey observes, All-Stars Joel Embiid, George and Tyrese Maxey missed a cumulative 134 games. Pompey notes that detractors have pointed to Nurse’s occasionally puzzling lineup decisions, team leadership, and relationship with referees as potential areas of long-term concern.
- One of the few free agent signings that surpassed offseason expectations, Sixers forward Guerschon Yabusele could now be in line for a big raise this summer, writes Pompey in an additional article. Following years spent out of the league, the 6’7″ vet posted averages of 11 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 1.2 APG. He also connected with a career-most 38% of his triple tries. An unrestricted free agent this summer, Yabusele can earn a limited 120% raise on his one-season, $2.1MM minimum 2024/25 deal, Pompey notes. Philadelphia does not own his Bird rights. He could also be signed into the team’s mid-level exception. The team could go either the non-taxpayer or taxpayer route, depending on when they sign him. Per Pompey, Yabusele’s play this year guarantees that he’ll be worth more than that 120% raise on the minimum deal. With $149.1MM in guaranteed money already committed to just four Sixers players, and a $154.6MM projected salary cap, Philadelphia will have to tread carefully to retain Yabusele.
- In case you missed it, George is hoping that he, Embiid and Maxey can log more offseason minutes together this summer in an effort to improve the pricey trio’s chemistry.
Oubre is far more like a gentle breeze than a tsunami.
Oubre is a frustrating player. He has all this raw talent but just can’t bring it to the floor every game. He just doesn’t have the drive to be an all star player.
I dont think Philly will have the full MLE after Grimes gets taken care of
Tax payer probably not enough, different zip code most likely inn story for him
The Sixers need to regroup after this year’s Dumpster Fire….