Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. spoke about the speculation involving him ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has been a crucial piece of the Philadelphia 76ers' rotation this season.
He has appeared in 26 games and started in 21 games for Philadelphia, averaging 14.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals on 49.5% shooting and 36.9% shooting from three-point range.
Still, his name has repeatedly come up in trade rumors.
This is largely because of Oubre being in the final season of his two-year, $16.3 million contract. The logic behind trading him is his $8.3 million salary would allow the 76ers to duck the luxury tax or avoid losing him for nothing in free agency this summer.
After recording 19 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists on 53.8% shooting in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Oubre spoke about the trade rumors surrounding him.
"No," Oubre said in regard to if the rumors affect him. "It does kind of stink a little bit to have a contract that is easily, like, washable, you would say. I'm putting in the work, showing up every day, showing what I mean to this league and to this team, and hopefully I cannot be in this position again."
Now more than ever the 76ers need to hold onto Oubre past the Feb. 5 trade deadline. This is because it was announced Saturday star forward Paul George will be suspended 25 games for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy.
George was the leader of the forward room, averaging 16.0 points on 42.4% shooting, but that title is passed to Oubre now. He will be relied on as the No. 4 option in this offense behind Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and V.J. Edgecombe.
It's worth noting the 76ers have a much easier route to avoiding the luxury tax due to George's suspension.
NBA salary cap analyst Yossi Gozlan explained George's suspension will cost him over $11 million, and the 76ers will receive a luxury tax credit worth half of that. This means the Sixers are just $1.3 million above the luxury tax rather than the original $7 million.
So, a move as simple as trading away veteran guard Eric Gordon for no return salary would put them under the luxury tax. Regardless of what small salary Philadelphia's front office decides to cut ties with, Oubre needs to remain in a Sixers uniform past the trade deadline.
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