Despite averaging a career-high 20.3 points per game last season with the Charlotte Hornets, Kelly Oubre Jr. remained unsigned on the free-agent market until mid-September. That’s when the Sixers snatched him up on a one-year, minimum-salary deal—and even that wasn’t universally viewed as a steal at the time.
It’s safe to say Oubre earned himself a lot more money this season. He was the Sixers’ fourth-leading scorer with 15.4 points per game, and he chipped in 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks in 30.2 minutes per game as well. Head coach Nick Nurse also got him to buy in defensively, as evidenced by his best finish in defensive estimated plus/minus since 2020-21.