Over the course of the summer, there was a lot of talk of Kelly Oubre Jr. being unhappy with the Sixers. That's not surprising since no one in Philadelphia is happy with the Sixers.
Rumors immediately began swirling that a trade involving Oubre was brewing between the Kings and the Sixers. The goal would be to bring Kelly to Sacramento while probably sending Malik Monk to Philly.
The Kings' front office seems really into trading Monk for some reason.
Not surprisingly, the rumors were quickly shot down. The rumors of the trade, not Oubre being unhappy. That appears to be all too real, and with unrestricted free agency on the horizon, there is still potential for Oubre to be West Coast-bound.
Kelly Oubre Jr. by the numbers
Oubre was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2015 and is entering his 11th season in the NBA, his third with the Sixers. At shooting guard and small forward, he has proven to be a difference maker when the moment calls for it.
His 2024-2025 averages show him scoring 15.1 points per game, pulling down 6.1 rebounds, and offering up 1.8 assists. That's on an average of 34.6 minutes per game.
While he's an athletic player with a strong finish, he's a little weak on defense and can be an inconsistent shooter from three at best. Oubre could still offer the Kings a few things they need.
Oubre on the Kings is only a season away
Yes, the Kings should be looking for more defensive-minded players, a gap Oubre does not fill. At the same time, he's a 6'8" wing who offers the athleticism and versatility that Sacramento needs.
After the 2025-2026 season, Oubre will be an unrestricted free agent. Unless something drastic happens to change his feelings about playing in Philadelphia, it's unlikely he's signing an extension.
If the Kings are interested in Oubre's services, and they definitely should be considering him, there is an opportunity coming their way soon. He could be one of several missing pieces to Sacramento's roster puzzle.