Pacers GM Chad Buchanan says Indiana targeted Kelly Oubre Jr. for his two-way ability, scoring and defensive versatility after trading Bennedict Mathurin.
The Indiana Pacers targeted Kelly Oubre Jr. this summer for his defense as much as his scoring, general manager Chad Buchanan said Thursday at the team's foundation golf outing. Buchanan tied the signing to the February trade that sent Bennedict Mathurin to the LA Clippers.
On July 1, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Oubre had agreed to a two-year contract with Indiana for nearly $17 million. The signing became official July 7. Indiana used the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign him, which hard-capped the team at the first apron for 2026-27. The Pacers now sit roughly $2.2 million below that line.
Before choosing Indiana, Oubre also met with the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Portland Trail Blazers, Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports reported.
Pacers Targeted Oubre for Two-Way Potential
Buchanan said Oubre wanted to be on a team competing at a high level.
"I think losing Bennedict obviously in the trade gave us a need for the bench, some depth at the wing position," Buchanan said. "Obviously, Bennedict brought a lot of scoring, so if we could find some scoring to replace that. But I think Kelly was a guy we targeted for his two-way potential, not just his scoring. He's got some versatility to guard a couple different positions on the perimeter. He's got experience. He showed some shooting chops last year that I think will carry over into our system, and he was a guy who wanted to be here."
"He wanted to be in a team that was competing at a high level," Buchanan continued. "And he had some relationships with some guys on our team. And we felt really comfortable on him being a good fit, whether it be coming off our bench or if we have an injury to a player, he's capable of starting. He's been a starter in this league."
"And we've seen him do some damage to our teams over the years," Buchanan added. "You always remember a guy sometimes for what he does against your team, and he's had some big nights against us. But I think he's anxious to be here. I thought he fits in well quickly with us, and our guys are excited to embrace him."
Oubre Helps Replace Mathurin's Scoring
Mathurin was averaging 17.8 points in 28 games when Indiana dealt him. He signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans this summer, with a player option on the second season, after the Clippers pulled his qualifying offer.
Oubre played 50 games for Philadelphia last season. He averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists with 1.4 steals in 31.5 minutes. He shot 46.7% from the field and made a career-best 36.0% of his 3-pointers on 4.8 attempts per game, and he made 76.6% of his free throws. In the playoffs, he shot 25.6% from deep.
He missed 32 games with elbow and knee ligament injuries.
Across three seasons with the 76ers, Oubre started 150 games and averaged 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. He first joined Philadelphia on a one-year minimum contract late in the 2023 offseason.
Oubre Brings 11 Years of NBA Experience
The Atlanta Hawks drafted him 15th overall in 2015 out of Kansas, and he started his career with the Washington Wizards. He has also played for the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Charlotte Hornets. Indiana is his sixth team. His 11-year career scoring average is 13.3 points.
Oubre turns 31 on Dec. 9.
Oubre Joins Pacers' Wing Rotation
Projections have Ivica Zubac, Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard, and Tyrese Haliburton as the starting five. Oubre and Jarace Walker are in line for the backup wing minutes, with Ben Sheppard also in that mix. Larry Nance Jr. also signed in July, on a one-year minimum contract.
Media day is Monday. Camp opens Tuesday, and Indiana hosts the Dallas Mavericks in its home opener Oct. 23.
