JULY 16: The Suns have officially re-signed Oubre, the team announced today in a press release.
JULY 11: The Suns have reached an agreement with restricted free agent forward Kelly Oubre, agent Nima Namakian of BDA Sports tells ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Oubre, who had been the last unsigned RFA on the market, will sign a two-year, $30MM contract, per Wojnarowski. According to Michael Scotto of The Athletic (Twitter link), it’s a fully guaranteed deal with no options. It also has a descending structure, with a $15.7MM first-year salary, tweets John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7.
Oubre, 23, was selected 15th overall in the 2015 draft and spent the first three and a half years of his NBA career in Washington. The Wizards, who didn’t appear committed to paying him in free agency this summer, attempted to trade Oubre to Memphis in a three-team trade for Trevor Ariza last December, then pivoted when that deal fell through and sent him directly to Phoenix in a package for Ariza a few days later.
In 40 games (12 starts) with the Suns, Oubre posted some of the best numbers of his career, averaging 16.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 1.4 SPG with a .453 FG% in 29.5 minutes per contest. All of those marks would have been career highs.
As they completed their offseason roster moves, the Suns made it a priority to keep Oubre’s cap hold on their books in order to retain his Bird Rights and go over the cap to re-sign him, sending Josh Jackson, De’Anthony Melton, and a pair of second-round picks to Memphis in a trade to shed salary and avoid losing the former Wizard.
While Oubre may have been hoping for a longer-term commitment, his new two-year contract will give the young forward some financial security and allow him to return to the open market as an unrestricted free agent when he’s just 25 years old, Wojnarowski observes (via Twitter).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
30 milll!! Congrats Oubre
Bidding against themselves?
So clear given how cap room has dried up they bid against themselves. Good Point.
I think oubre is French for overpay
NBA Money. Recapping Suns Offseason…. Added multiple stretch 4s (Kaminsky, Dario Saric & drafted Cam Johnson 12th overall)… Cycled around backup point guards, but kept Tyler Johnson’s contract on the books. Took on Aron Baynes contract for a draft pick. Landed Ty Jerome in the draft and extended Oubre Jr.
Overpaid Ricky Rubio at 3 Yrs $51M.
Rotation?
C- DeAndre Ayton
F: Dario Saric
F: Kelly Oubre Jr
G: Devin Booker
PG: Ricky Rubio
6. F Mikal Bridges
7. PG Tyler Johnson
8. F Cameron Johnson
9. F Frank Kaminsky
10. G Eli Okobo
11. C Aron Baynes
12. G Jevon Carter
13. G Ty Jerome
14. F Ray Spalding?
15. G Jalen Lecque
It’s a young group
After all their debatable moves they do look improved.
Based on all the high draft picks they’ve had, all they have to show for it is Booker and Ayton. The rest of the team is average. Still in the lottery.
I’m guessing Bridges starts at SF, which with Rubio and Saric, gives them 3 guys in the starting lineup who know how to play basketball. Should allow Ayton and Booker a chance to become real stars. Jerome will eventually (this year) be the backup PG, joining Oubre and C.Johnson, as their focus guys off the bench. Baynes was a targeted acquisition to back up Ayton, and Kaminsky was obviously as well, since he got a FA contract, but not sure of his immediate role. Not sure about the rest, but T.Johnson almost has to play some, but not on the point. I see a trade of a PG still. Okobo and Carter would make 4, and Jared Harper will probably be on the team, or the latter a 2wc, as well.
Outside of NBA 2k, it was a productive off season. I guess 10 more wins this year to end the streak of bottom 3 finishes, and a good foundation going forward. The last thing they need is Westbrook.
Oubre, Bridges, and Cam all play the same position lol… and they could of had White at PG. If bleeping up were a crime Suns brass would all be doing life without parole.
Cobi White did look good in Vegas and would be the best move longterm at PG… He looks like a Lou Williams. They let Holmes go and essentially traded Warren for Baynes.
Yet Saric and Rubio will make them improved.
You compare Cobi White to Lou Williams and act like you know about basketball? Geeezzzzz
Not Lou Williams, *a* Lou Williams. Quick long easy strides, game, attitude, facial expression, combo G. Don’t know what you’re complaining about. Hair length or age difference?
I think oubre is French for overpay
I think Shawn Hemp is French for “Desperately Seeks Attention”
$17 mil in today’s NBA isn’t an overpay. He’s a competent PG and the sun’s haven’t had that in a few years. They couldn’t just dump Tyler Johnson. Ty hey didn’t give him the contract. Again, he’s competent which Ryan Anderaon wasn’t.
Oubre, Johnson, Rubio and 3 firsts for Westbrook?
Oubre Rubio and 1st round pick protect 1-5 for Westbrook.
1. Russell Westbrook
2. Devin Booker
3. Mikal Bridges
4. Dario Saric
5. DeAndre Ayton
6. Tyler Johnson
7. Aaron Baynes
8. Cam Johnson
9. Frank Kaminsky
10. Jevon Carter
Why would OKC do that? And that deal couldn’t happen until December, anyway.
If anything, Oubre sent himself up for the summer of 21. Big names, probably hoping for a raise. Good deal by both.
Also, no on Westbrook. His style of play will do nothing for Suns. He’s just a popular season player. He won’t improve the team.
He won’t push them over the top but will make them a playoff team
Over GS, Denver, Portland, LAL, LAC, San Antonio, Utah, NO, SAC…? Not happening.