Kelly Oubre Jr. Rumors: Heat Interested in Warriors UFA in 2021 NBA Free Agency
The Miami Heat reportedly have eyes for free agent Kelly Oubre Jr.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat "tried to acquire" Oubre in a trade with the Golden State Warriors this past season ahead of the trade deadline and have "interest in him again" as an unrestricted free agent.
They may miss out again this summer, however, with Jackson adding that "Miami is an unlikely match because he likely will command significantly more than $9.5 million midlevel."
Oubre, 25, appeared in 55 games for the Warriors last season (50 starts), averaging 15.4 points, six rebounds and an assist per game while shooting 43.9 percent from the field but a disappointing 31.6 percent from three.
That perimeter shooting—Oubre is a career 32.6 percent shooter from beyond the arc—is the one major skill holding him back.
Nonetheless, his athleticism and upside will make him a player that more than a few teams check in on come free agency. The San Antonio Spurs are reportedly one of them, per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News:
It's unlikely he'll return to the Warriors, barring the team making some roster moves or Oubre taking a pay cut compared to what he might be able to get on the market. The Dubs have an active roster cap of $166.8 million, dramatically above the $112.4 million salary cap and leaving them in the luxury tax.
Even if they cut the non-guaranteed contracts of Gary Payton II, Damion Lee, Mychal Mulder and Alen Smailagic, it would only save them $7.2 million. Oubre is a solid player, but his path to a Warriors return is hard to find, especially if he wants over $20 million annually on a new contract, as previously reported.
As for the Heat, rumors are circulating that they have big plans come free agency, with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan reportedly in their crosshairs:
If the Heat are in the running for both of those players, it's hard to see a pathway for Oubre ending up in Miami. It's possible Pat Riley and the front office has Oubre atop their list of potential backup plans, however.
