© Kelley L Cox | 2021 Jan 3
Kelly Oubre has struggled mightily in his short stint with the Warriors, but the idea that the team could move on from him this season has never seemed realistic. Teams aren’t typically keen on adding wings that are making $14.4 million and are shooting just over 35 percent (21 percent from three).
At least one team might be interested, however, according to a Tuesday report by Shams Charania of The Athletic. Charania says that preliminary talks for a trade involving Oubre have begun between the Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans.
“The Warriors and Pelicans discussed a potential deal involving Kelly Oubre Jr., sources said,” Charania wrote. “There isn’t traction as of yet. Like many conversations around this time, it is a scenario.”
Maybe the Pelicans were impressed with his 14 point, six rebound, four assist, three steal and one block performance on Monday night vs. the Wolves. The Pelicans have also been receiving calls regarding Lonzo Ball and JJ Redick, and are open to moving both, so perhaps Golden State has it’s eye on one of those players.
Oubre is an expiring contract, so New Orleans’ interest in Oubre could be mostly cap related. Speaking of the cap, Oubre is costing the Warriors nearly $80 million when luxury tax penalties are taken into account, so figuring out a way to soften that blow wouldn’t be the worst proposition for Joe Lacob and Co.
