The subject of a few trade rumors leading up to the deadline, Warriors forward Kelly Oubre ended up staying put. Oubre – a free agent at season’s end – said on Thursday that he’d “love” to remain with Golden State beyond this season, though he didn’t sound particularly enthusiastic about the idea of moving to the bench to accommodate Klay Thompson‘s return, writes Nick Friedell of ESPN.
“I can’t speak for the future, brother,” Oubre said. “You keep asking me questions like I’m a psychic. But at the end of the day, I’m growing, I’m honing in on my skills in this league and I can offer a lot more than coming off the bench, so at the end of the day, this is my life. I can’t tell the future. Only God can.”
As Friedell observes, the Warriors have the NBA’s most expensive roster this season and there’s no real relief coming next year, especially if the team re-signs Oubre to a deal that matches or exceeds his current $14.38MM salary.
According to Friedell, when asked if he’d accept a below-market deal this offseason to remain in Golden State, Oubre simply replied, “Next question.”
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- Head coach Steve Kerr said last night that about 12 Warriors players and coaches received their COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, tweets Friedell.
- The Clippers‘ hope that Rajon Rondo will become ‘Playoff Rondo’ this spring was the motivating factor behind their decision to send Lou Williams and two second-round picks to Atlanta for the veteran point guard, writes Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times. As Greif notes, Rondo has a long-standing relationship with head coach Tyronn Lue, who began his coaching career as an assistant in Boston in 2011, when Rondo was an All-Star for the Celtics. That relationship – and the trust Lue has in Rondo – was a factor in the Clippers’ decision to make the trade.
- Within the same story, Greif says the Clippers received calls from multiple teams about center Ivica Zubac, but didn’t seriously consider moving him, as they believe he’s a key part of the roster going forward.
- James Ham of NBC Sports California broke down the Kings‘ deadline acquisitions after the team completed three separate trades.
Oubre’s thoughts “I’ll only take a below market deal if the only big offers I get are from bottom 5 teams of the league and get to keep my starting spot when klay is back”
His camp already said he will be looking for a top 10 free agent deal. He is a solid player but not a all star player but some team will probably over pay him.
Camp Delusion is going to hurt his free agency.
Clippers should have acquired Delon Wright instead. Rondo is a step slower and has dealt with a ton of injuries as of late…
The Warriors are on the precipice of an unmitigated disaster. Neither of the Splash Brothers can stay healthy anymore as both have been on the wrong side of 30 for over a year now. Draymond’s contract is killing them, but luckily they will be free of Oubre’s contract after the season. By the time Wiseman develops into a player capable of helping them return to their winning ways, it will be far too late.