kelly oubre

Knicks News, 7/23: Kelly Oubre a Reggie Bullock replacement? An ideal trade target at center

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Kelly Oubre, knicks

There is a possibility the New York Knicks are forced to replace five players preparing to hit the open market, and one of them is small/shooting guard Reggie Bullock.

Bullock is reportedly receiving interest from multiple teams, including the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers. Reggie had himself a solid 2020-21 season with the Knicks last year, helping them take a big step forward in the three-point category, shooting 41% over 6.1 attempts per game. He averaged 11 points, 1.5 assists, and shot 44% from the floor over 65 games. In fact, he averaged the most minutes of his entire career last season with Tom Thibodeau’s, playing 30 per game.

Replacing his impact at the price point of $4.2 million is likely impossible, but there is one alternative option the Knicks could view as a long-term solution at small forward.

Golden State Warriors Kelly Oubre Jr. could fit the bill at 25 years old. Last season, he averaged 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and shot 44% from the field. While his three-point percentage was a measly 31.6% over 5.2 attempts per game, the expectation is that he will elevate that number to a more consistent clip. His career-high sits at 35% from range, but it seems as if players under Thibodeau’s perform better, which Oubre hinted at when asked about the potential of signing with the Knicks this off-season.

Kelly Oubre raved about the Knicks on “The Putback” Podcast with SNY’s Ian Begley, stating:

”To come in and to help help the organization get better. They’ve already started, the uphill trajectory of what they’re trying to get to with this past year, having a great season and balling out, RJ coming into his own, everybody really coming into their own and making a family unit. That was pretty much the biggest thing and that is why I feel like Tom Thibodeau had a very big part in that.”

Replacing Bullock with Oubre has its pros and cons, as the younger of the two offers far better defense and potential, but Bullock is a more refined shooter, which the Knicks will undoubtedly miss unless they supplement his loss in other ways. However, I believe the team is looking to utilize Immanuel Quickley more strategically next season as a shooting guard, which would supplement the loss of Bullock’s three-point percentage to a degree.

Should the Knicks pursue a Myles Turner trade to bolster center position?

The Indiana Pacers could be looking to trade center, Myles Turner this off-season, and he is a player that offers not only quality defense, but scoring prowess. Last season, he average 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and shot 47.7% from the field. In addition, he’s even capable of shooting from range, connecting on 33.5% over 4.4 attempts. He is a legitimate starting big man, who posted a career-high 3.4 blocks per game, indicating a massive step forward with his defense.

Pairing Turner with Mitchell Robinson will give the Knicks one of the best center duos in the NBA, both capable of elite defense and scoring at an efficient rate. However, sharing minutes between the two would be tough — it would open up the door for the Knicks to utilize Robinson as a trade piece.

In fact, trading for Turner might force the team to include Robinson in the deal, but they would be gaining a fantastic player in return who they can depend on regularly. Contractually, Turner signed a four-year, $80 million deal in 2019, and has two years left remaining. He is owed $17.5 million next season, representing a far more expensive player than Mitchell Robinson at $1.8 million. Ideally, the Knicks will roll with Robinson and he will prove to be a force on both sides of the floor next year, earning a second contract with the team that will keep them in New York for the foreseeable future.

Knicks News, 7/22: Kelly Oubre details what he would bring the New York, Bullock should be retained

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Kelly Oubre, knicks

The New York Knicks will be active during free agency this year, and one player they have been connected to is Golden State Warriors small forward Kelly Oubre Jr.

Oubre is a 6’7”, 203-pound left-handed shooter, which would add another diverse player to a team that already has two lefties with Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.

During the 2020-21 season, Oubre averaged 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and shot 44% from the field. While he only connected on 31.6% of the shots from three, averaging 5.2 attempts per game, he started off the season very poorly, which dragged down his statistical total.

Overall, Oubre has the potential to be a great 3-and-D player under head coach Tom Thibodeau, and he indicated that recently.

Ian Begley and Chris Williamson hosted Kelly Oubre Jr. on “The Putback” podcast, where the Golden State small forward raved about the Knicks’ season last year:

“I am just looking for defense, hard-nosed defense, scrappy, fast-paced, athletic, open floor offense. That is what I thrive in and kind of just getting after it man, having a team for the hard nosed dog individuals, that’s ideal.”

When asked about joining a scrappy Knicks team, Oubre stated:

”To come in and to help help the organization get better. They’ve already started, the uphill trajectory of what they’re trying to get to with this past year, having a great season and balling out, RJ coming into his own, everybody really coming into their own and making a family unit. That was pretty much the biggest thing and that is why I feel like Tom Thibodeau had a very big part in that.”

It seems as if Kelly is seeking a multi-year deal, and the Knicks have plenty of cap room to make that happen if they view him as a long-term solution a small forward. They would essentially be replacing Reggie Bullock with Oubre at a higher price point.

Factoring in the decrease in three-point efficiency but advanced defense, they would be trading one strength for another. Bullock hit on 41% of his 3-PT attempts last year and is drawing interest from teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and even the Los Angeles Lakers.

Marc Berman of the New York Post reported that Bullock will be sought after this off-season, so the Knicks will have to fend off other teams if they want to keep the 30-year-old Maryland native. He averaged 10.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and shot 44% from the field this past year, averaging 30 minutes per game.

Ideally, New York would retain Bullock, who stated he prefers to stay with the club and continue building upon their success this past season.

Knicks News, 7/1: Kelly Oubre rumors heating up, RJ Barrett’s future in New York should be guaranteed

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Kelly Oubre, knicks

If there’s any guarantee, it is that head coach Tom Thibodeau will always be looking for superior defensive players. That is why the New York Knicks are connected to Golden State Warriors 3-and-D player Kelly Oubre.

Despite starting the 2020–21 season on a bad note from range, missing 28 of his first 30 3-PT attempts, he ended up finishing with a 31.6% completion rate. However, his poor start dragged his average down — which shouldn’t be factored in when considering his long-term production and efficiency. While the Warriors believe that Oubre is part of their long-term solution at small forward, he’s a free agent this year, and there is a mutual interest between him and the Knicks, who have plenty of money to spend in free agency.

Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News believes that Kelly Oubre is a serious target for the Knicks this off-season:

The source says the Knicks are specifically interested in adding Oubre in the event they are successful acquiring a star guard via trade. The acquisition would create a more complete roster alongside Most Improved Player Julius Randle.

He’s not the only reporter to indicate the Knicks’ interest in Oubre, as both Woj and Marc Berman have also mentioned the idea.
This past season, Oubre averaged 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and shot .439 from the field. While he was inconsistent in some categories, he’s also a stellar defensive player who can man up against bigger opponents and protect the perimeter at 6’7”. Another interesting factor he brings is he’s a left-handed shooter, similar to RJ Barrett and Julius Randle.
At 25 years old, Oubre has plenty of quality basketball left ahead of him, and while he’s an inconsistent scorer at times, he offers the type of defense Thibodeau looks for. Considering the developmental leap several knicks took this past season, expecting Kelly to improve in the scoring category is a realistic idea.
It is also fair to mention that the Warriors finished ninth in the Western Conference, missing the playoffs after losing back-to-back play-in games. With a bit more confidence and consistency, Oubre could find himself in a much better situation in New York, and he would likely be well within the Knicks’ price range. Offering him more than the $9.5 million middle-level exception, it’s possible he makes the transition to the East Coast, where his defense would fit right in.

The New York Knicks must hold on tight to RJ Barrett:

There is a real possibility that an alternative team asks for RJ Barrett in a blockbuster deal if the Knicks inquire about a star guard this off-season. However, they would be foolish to send the 21-year-old shooting guard on his way, considering he took a massive step forward in his progression this past year.
Averaging 17.6 points per game and elevating his three-point percentage to .401, he has the potential to be a bonafide star in the future. Giving away a player of his potential would be malpractice, and even if the deal includes Lillard, the Knicks should stick to their guns and operate out of the salary cap.

Report: Knicks could be targeting Warriors forward Kelly Oubre in free agency

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Kelly Oubre, knicks

Despite the postseason not being over yet, the rumor mill is churning for the New York Knicks as they head into what most expect to be a lucrative off-season. With more than $60 million to spend in free agency, the summer months will be full of excitement and potential, but the Knicks aren’t only being linked to players like Chris Paul and Damian Lillard, a few complimentary pieces with upside have also been rumored to be in connection with the organization.

According to Marc Berman of the NY Post:

According to one source, there is mutual interest between Oubre and the Knicks. The Knicks are one of the few teams who can offer him more than the $9.5 million mid-level exception. Oubre was drafted by the Wizards in 2015 at No. 15 and was traded to Phoenix, where he scored 29 points with three steals against the Knicks in a January 2020 game.

Over the past few seasons, the Knicks’ primary need has been a point guard, and they have failed to find a long-term solution at the position. Trading Dennis Smith Jr. for Derrick Rose was one of the best moves the front office made in recent memory, acquiring a veteran PG who helped tremendously during the regular season and represented one of the only productive players in the postseason. However, the Knicks have plenty of forwards, including RJ Barrett, Reggie Bullock, Kevin Knox, Obi Toppin, and Julius Randle.

What would Kelly Oubre bring to the Knicks?

Oubre is an intriguing player, though, having scored 15.4 points, collected 6.0 rebounds, and shot .439 from the field in 2021. At 25 years old, Oubre is still preparing to hit his prime, and he could be a solid complementary piece at small forward. Interestingly, he is also a lefty, so the Knicks would have three lefty players in Randle, Barrett, and Oubre.

The Warriors’ forward struggle to start the most recent campaign, hitting just two of his first 30 3-PT attempts in his first season with Golden State. Nevertheless, Oubre is believed to be an adequate defender, something head coach Tom Thibodeau looks for in his players. Kelly has room for improvement as a 3-PT shooter, and he is a solid defender who would offer a bit of consistency at small forward. According to Berman, it is believed that the Warriors view him as a part of their long-term plans, but he desires to test free agency and see what type of offers he can garner on the open market.

This might not be the splash signing the Knicks desire, but if they can snag a player like Oubre at the right price, they can still feel confident with their salary space regarding a run at a bonafide star point guard.