Landing Spots for Kelly Oubre If Philadelphia 76ers Trade Forward
After a tumultuous, injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign in which the Philadelphia 76ers went 24-58, there's still a question on Joel Embiid's availability for training camp, and Paul George underwent another knee surgery in July.
In other words, things don't feel much more stable now than they were five months ago, and instability often leads to rumors.
Cue the latest news on Kelly Oubre, who, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, could be available for trade.
The 6'8", 29-year-old forward is on a very movable $8.4 million expiring contract, and he averaged 15.1 points last season. Despite an unreliable three-pointer (he's hit just 32.5 percent of his career attempts from deep) and a lack of box-score contributions outside the scoring column, his combination of length, athleticism and an eye for the bucket could make him an interesting option for a number of playoff contenders.
The best potential landing spots can be found below.
Orlando Magic
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Given the perennial uncertainty surrounding Embiid and his health, the Sixers could use a little more depth at the 5, and the Orlando Magic might have more centers than they know what to do with.
Right now, Wendell Carter Jr., Moritz Wagner, Goga Bitadze and Jonathan Isaac are all on the roster and best suited to play there. Even Paolo Banchero should probably be logging some small-ball minutes at the position.
That creates quite a logjam, and a straight swap of Oubre for Bitadze could partially clear it.
Given the fact that Bitadze is three years younger and a little more versatile, Philadelphia would likely have to part with some draft capital, but he'd give the 76ers a good option at the 5 when Embiid is out.
After a dismal 2024-25, up-and-comers like Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and even incoming rookie V.J. Edgecombe could use more competitive developmental minutes, and Bitadze would help them get those on nights when the superstar is hurt or resting.
As for Orlando, this clarifies the depth chart inside a bit. Though Oubre doesn't address the Magic's most glaring need from last season (three-point shooting), he would fit well into highly switchable defensive lineups with Banchero and Franz Wagner. And his slashing could keep opposing defenses on their toes when Orlando's stars are driving.
Golden State Warriors
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Familiarity is at least a part of why the Golden State Warriors are here.
Oubre played for them during the 2020-21 campaign, when he averaged 15.4 points and 1.6 threes. While the impact metrics from his season in the Bay Area aren't good, the Warriors need more punch off the bench and currently only have nine players under contract.
Fans would likely hope for a little more efficient use of the team's trade exception, but that could make acquiring Oubre relatively easy.
At least in theory, a downhill scoring threat like Oubre should be able to pull some defenses inward and away from shooters like Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski.
Denver Nuggets
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From the Sixers perspective, the motivation on this one would be similar to the one behind the Bitadze idea.
The Denver Nuggets' Zeke Nnaji is a big man making roughly the same amount as Oubre in 2025-26, so the math on a trade isn't complicated. And Nnaji could provide more depth at a position of need.
He's certainly more of a question mark than Bitadze, but a 43.9 three-point percentage over the course of his first two NBA seasons might be moderately intriguing.
More importantly, while Philadelphia might have to part with a future second-round pick to get Bitadze, it might be able to extract one here.
Oubre wouldn't be guaranteed a rotation spot on the title-contending Nuggets, but he's likelier to help than Nnaji. And for a second unit that has long struggled for offense without Nikola Jokić, his desire to score could help.
Sacramento Kings
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Dario Šarić certainly isn't the player he was when he last suited up for the 76ers back in 2018, but a reunion would be fun.
And if Philadelphia is intent on trying to make the playoffs this season, there's an argument he might even be more valuable.
Šarić had a disastrous 2024-25 with the Nuggets, but he's proven capable of playing 5 in recent years, has a significant advantage over Oubre in career box plus/minus and is a far better and more willing passer.
For the Sacramento Kings, a swap involving Šarić and Oubre would leave them awfully thin at center, but they could also use a scoring boost on the second unit. And Oubre is a lot more likely to provide that.
