Amid countless trade rumors, the Golden State Warriors still held on to swingman Kelly Oubre Jr. as they now look to have him back with the team next season despite his looming free agency.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reiterated that they are keen on having Oubre as part of the team's future, although he will most likely come off the bench with All-Star guard Klay Thompson set to return to action next season.
“As it relates to next year, Klay will be back and obviously Klay will be in the starting lineup,” coach Steve Kerr said on 95.7 The Game on March 24. “I'd love to have Kelly back next year. If that were to happen, it would be off the bench more than likely, because we'd be looking at Klay, Steph [Curry] and Wiggins in the starting lineup.”
Oubre fired back and claimed that he is more than a bench player who is deserving of a starting spot with the team. Former Warrior Andrew Bogut bared that the swingman's comments didn't bode well with the team as an unnamed player also expressed his disappointment straight to Oubre.
“Now I'm not gonna name the player, but I've heard the Warriors players didn't take too lightly to those comments,” Bogut said on his latest “Rogue Bogues” podcast. “They basically made it pretty known that Andre Iguodala, a Finals MVP, was OK coming off the bench, but we have Kelly motherf–king Oubre who won't.
“And that was not directed behind his back. That was to his face by an unnamed player in that locker room who was not too happy with those comments.”
The former Kansas talent has been going through an up-and-down season as he is averaging 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists through 48 games played thus far. Oubre can still serve a valuable role with any team in the league although it's not totally safe to say that he's truly worthy of a starting spot, especially with the Warriors who are expected to welcome Thompson back in their lineup next season.
In light of the situation, Kelly Oubre Jr. will have to step up in the latter stages of their campaign if he wants to prove that he deserves to be named as a starter. Perhaps a strong showing will help change the minds of the Warriors' decision-makers which could lead them to instate him in a bigger role with the team next season.
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