Report: Suns' Kelly Oubre Jr. Will Undergo Season-Ending Surgery on Thumb Injury

Kelly Oubre Jr. is being shut down. 

The Phoenix Suns forward "will undergo [a] minor procedure on his left thumb and miss rest of season," according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com, who added Oubre is facing a recovery period of four to six weeks.

Oubre, 23, was traded to the Suns this season in exchange for Trevor Ariza, and he's thrived in Phoenix. Since the All-Star break, Oubre is averaging 20.2 points and 5.7 rebounds, and in 40 games with the Suns overall has posted 16.9 points and 4.9 boards, both career highs. 

He's also shot a career-high 45.3 percent from the field, though he's continued to be a subpar shooter from three with the Suns (32.5 percent).

Nonetheless, Oubre has fit in nicely in Phoenix, and it's hard to imagine the Suns letting him walk this summer as a restricted free agent. The Suns can match any offer, and barring an unexpected monster offer on the market, they'll almost assuredly do so.

He certainly gives the team intriguing depth on the wing, with young players in Mikal Bridges and Josh Jackson available as well. Paired with DeAndre Ayton at center and Devin Booker at shooting guard, the young Suns core is solid.

Granted, Phoenix still lacks a point guard to round out the starting lineup. But Oubre's play has been an excellent sign for the Suns as they attempt to climb out of their long rebuild.