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Kelly Oubre Jr. Shines as Sixers Unveil Promising New Starting Five

His $8.3 million expiring deal makes him a tax-relief trade chip before the Feb. 5 deadline.

Overview

  • Oubre scored 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting with four made threes in a 128-122 overtime win over the Rockets on Jan. 23.
  • Nick Nurse inserted him for Dominick Barlow in a starting group with Maxey, Edgecombe, George and Embiid, calling it performance-based as Oubre praised Barlow’s play.
  • That five had logged only four prior possessions together and now sits at 51 with a +10.4 net rating, according to Cleaning the Glass.
  • Oubre delivered disruptive defense, including denying Alperen Şengün entry passes, while Maxey had 36 points and Embiid posted a 32-15-10 triple-double.
  • Despite his surge, trade chatter persists because his expiring contract could help Philadelphia, which is more than $7 million over the luxury-tax threshold.