A hustler lacking an end product. This was a statement that resonated perfectly with what Kelly Oubre Jr's time with the Philadelphia 76ers had resembled after arriving from the Charlotte Hornets in 2023. Given the lack of tradable assets the Sixers wielded at the start of the 2025-26 season, Oubre's expiring contract could be a tempting proposition for a franchise in transition. Now, due to his fabulous uptake in form, Philadelphia's front office will be forced to retain his services.
Oubre came into this campaign with a vicious vendetta to prove that he belonged in the City of Philadelphia and was a vital part of this rotation. Whatever his intentions were, they were inspiring his performances. The former Hornets forward averaged 16.8 points and 5.1 rebounds, while shooting around 50% from the floor over his first 12 appearances.
Nevertheless, destiny struck Kelly Oubre with a cruel fate: his brilliant season was swiftly halted against the Detroit Pistons on November 14 due to a knee sprain. This unfortunate ailment would restrict him from entering the court for nearly an entire two months (January 8), with nobody able to predict the level of player he would return to this season.
Seemingly, naysayers were wrong to doubt that Oubre could make a positive contribution on his return to the 76ers' rotation.
Kelly Oubre's contribution critical during race for a postseason spot
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Philadelphia's 128-22 overtime triumph over the Houston Rockets was the latest showing in Oubre's recent resurgence, amplifying the important role he can play in head coach Nick Nurse's plans for the remainder of the campaign. This only highlights the need to [resist the temptation to cash in](https://thesixersense.com/dream-76ers-buyout-target-just-walked-through-the-door-after-stunning-news) on his appealing expiring contract.
During the win over their Western Conference opponents, the 30-year-old recorded 26 points while shooting 71.4% from the field and draining four of five shots from deep. Most importantly, he allowed the Sixers' franchise cornerstone, Joel Embiid, enough room to work his magic in the paint by spacing the floor to perfection. Oubre's ability to stay patient in the corner and capitalise on the opportunities to rack up three points when the ball was kicked out towards him was critical to the win.
This performance is far from an anomaly, as Oubre has proven over his last four appearances that the Philadelphia 76ers are a much more dangerous proposition for opponents if he is heavily included in the rotation. Over this time period, he has averaged 19.2 points with an efficient field-goal average of 56.4%.
If the Philadelphia 76ers' front office believes that sanctioning trades to tweak this roster is the only way the franchise can compete at the higher echelons of the Eastern Conference, then [sacrificing an expiring contract](https://thesixersense.com/nba-insider-drops-subtle-hint-that-kelly-oubre-76ers-career-is-over) may be their only option. However, given his recent uptick in form, Kelly Oubre Jr's deal cannot be pieced into this strategy.