I have a somewhat more positive take on Oubre’s tenure with us. I thought especially last year, he was a bit more engaged defensively and was able to use his length to be disruptive at times. He was also a solid rebounder for a guard. But even if you view him as a one-dimensional offensive player, I think there’s still a role for designated scorers, and I think they can contribute to winning.
Where a guy like that becomes problematic is when their usage rate is such that it exposes other aspects of their game that aren’t as strong, or if you’re paying them at a level that’s beyond the singular role in which they’re most useful. In Kelly’s case, his role on this year’s team would have certainly been more limited with Miller here and Cody back at some point (hopefully). And since he ultimately signed a vet minimum with PHI, there were no concerns of an overpay. As Chef said, I assume the fear of stunting Miller’s development likely played into the FO’s decision to move on, but I don’t think that had to be the end result since Miller, Cody and Kelly could’ve all floated between the 2/3. But with Miles gone, Cody’s timetable uncertain and Miller still on training wheels, our game ready level talent is super thin. He would’ve helped.
Would he have signed with us for Vet Min? If so I would have welcomed him back but anything more and it wasnt worth taking mins away from Miller which would have inevitably happened.
Also, where was there space on the roster for him in July when we are projecting? No doubt that he would have been disgruntled here being buried behind Miles, Miller, Martin, etc.
Again, in hindsight it would have made sense to bring him back but without that, it made little sense.
He was an unsigned free agent for almost 3 months. What choice would he have had since no one else had apparently offered more than the minimum? All I ever read was that he wanted to be here. Given that, there’s no reason to think he would’ve been disgruntled even knowing what our roster was likely to be. I think there were plenty of reasons it made sense even without the benefit of hindsight. We knew Cody wouldn’t be ready to go by the start of the season. We know Gordon will get hurt at some point. They’ve said they want to contend for a playoff spot. Bringing back a high scoring vet on the cheap would have made tons of sense.
Can understand not signing Oubre after drafting Miller, heck before move up in draft had us 4+ picking one of Thompson Twin & replacing Oubre.
But even if not Oubre fan like me, needed to sign. Situation a problem if you don’t spend money and sign DSJ or other other competent guard.
How many forum posts made we to make a deal for Delon, Payne, or we are #$%*ed?
It is still some decent players we could pick up. From the free agent market. We should get two of of the best fitting veterans who could help big off the bench and in the locker room.
Letting Kelly go was the right thing. We were too crowded on the wing, especially with the drafting of Miller, we didn’t have roster spots available to hand out, and there’s no way in hell he’d have signed back here for the vet min either.
The shame is he seems a good dude and liked it here. I wish him all best.
We had 2 players who liked playing here and let go in Kelly & DSJ. I get that we let Kelly go because of spreading minutes out between other guys but i just don’t get letting DSJ go, we’re crying out for a point of attack defender and pg.
I agree that not retaining DSJ was a huge loss. The only difference there though is that we at least made DSJ an offer, although obviously not a good enough one. Seems we made no effort to keep Kelly at all.
Would the FO have made the same decision on KO if they knew about MBs latest troubles? Interesting (probably Hornets Law) that knowledge of his issues came to light after the draft and after meaningful free agency. I think it’s possible different decisions would have been made if that was known. Well, maybe not. IDK.
It was reported we offered DSJ more money, but he preferred the opportunity with the Nets. They’re paying him 2.5. I’m gutted he left. For all that his shooting was pretty awful, as a point of attack defender and tough dude, he would look great on this roster right now.
Players, like DSJ, who were drafted highly and didn’t work out (not through lack of effort or personality issues) tend to embrace second chances. I think that type of okayed is always worth a look.
I think the problem was the Nets got to him 1st and showed him more love than we did, its nice to know though some players favour love & commitment over money.
Yeah, I remember reading that we offered more than the minimum but he preferred to go to BKN for less money, which I found curious. I’ve never heard an exact dollar amount for our offer, but I wonder how much more it would’ve taken to convince him to stay? He clearly didn’t feel something he needed to feel from us, which is unfortunate. But then again, we were the team that gave him an opportunity to revive his career at a time when it looked like he may be headed out of the league. Whatever happened, very disappointed we couldn’t work it out.
Edit: But I also remember reading that Mitch said we were prioritizing him in FA so if we take that at face value, it doesn’t seem that he would’ve felt unwanted. Obviously can’t change it now, but I would love to know what happened.
That’s certainly the Locked on Hornets take, but I’m not sure it’s based on fact.
Do we honestly think that an NBA player values being called first, and only offered the vet min, over the team you’ve just revived your career with calling you second and offering you more money?
It’s much, much more likely he saw a path to greater minutes and a more prominent role with the Nets.
Maybe it’s a case of him saying what he thinks will go down well with each team’s media?
Either way, I’m not going to miss a player with about the lowest assist % for his role in the league. I just don’t think he plays team ball, on either end. He was a good and, at times, very effective bench bomber for us.
I didn’t see what he said during media day, but he said at least a couple of times during the season that he liked it here and wanted to stay. I don’t doubt that his feelings towards us changed though once he felt rejected by us, so I’m not surprised by whatever negative comments he said.
He’s not Lamelo. His job isn’t to go out there and get triple doubles. He’s a scorer, and he filled that role very effectively for us. There were several games where he absolutely took over, and was one of the most consistent offensive players we had. When you have a chance to fill out a roster with guys like that without having to pay them a lot it just makes sense to do it. I think we missed an opportunity there. It is very likely that we’ll end up signing a FA at some point to fill the role Kelly had who isn’t as good as Kelly for the same money we would’ve had to pay Kelly and I don’t think that’s good personnel management. I also think it’s kind of funny that we’re maybe the worst franchise in the NBA at this point, haven’t been to the playoffs in 7 years and haven’t won a playoff series in 20, yet we don’t think a 20ppg scorer playing on a vet minimum is good enough to be here?
Yeah I just felt like Oubre was empty calories. It would be one thing if he was willing to take that vet minimum to sit the end of the bench as a break glass in case of emergency player but if he was here he would want a significant role and it would be understandable that he felt he deserved one but I don’t want to see him taking any minutes from Miller at all.
