The Phoenix Suns liked what they got out of a mid-season acquisition from the Washington Wizards in Kelly Oubre Jr. last season, and they are keeping him around the desert. The Suns and Oubre agreed to a two-year contract that is worth $30 million on Wednesday, keeping him in the rebuilding and growing process of the organization. They look at him as a nice compliment to their star, Devin Booker, along with their young force in the paint, DeAndre Ayton.
Oubre will stay locked in before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2021, when he will be 25 years old. Phoenix had the rights to the forward, as they could match any offer that any other team gave to him. They acquired him in a trade from the Wizards in December, where they sent Trevor Ariza the other way, while also getting Austin Rivers, who was immediately waived.
The 23-year-old ended up playing in 40 games for the Suns, including 12 starts, and recorded career-highs of 16.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting a career-best 45.3 percent from the floor. Unfortunately, his 2018-2019 season was cut short due to a thumb injury, which forced him in to street clothes on the bench for the remainder of the year.
The now former Wizard was drafted by them with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, and spent his first four seasons in the nation's capital. He averaged just 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game in his time with Washington, but picked it up after the trade out west. That included big numbers after moving in to their starting lineup following the All-Star break, as he put up 20 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per start. And it was that flash of energy that gave the Suns hope that he could be part of their future.
Oubre will stay locked in before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2021, when he will be 25 years old. Phoenix had the rights to the forward, as they could match any offer that any other team gave to him. They acquired him in a trade from the Wizards in December, where they sent Trevor Ariza the other way, while also getting Austin Rivers, who was immediately waived.
The 23-year-old ended up playing in 40 games for the Suns, including 12 starts, and recorded career-highs of 16.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting a career-best 45.3 percent from the floor. Unfortunately, his 2018-2019 season was cut short due to a thumb injury, which forced him in to street clothes on the bench for the remainder of the year.
The now former Wizard was drafted by them with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, and spent his first four seasons in the nation's capital. He averaged just 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game in his time with Washington, but picked it up after the trade out west. That included big numbers after moving in to their starting lineup following the All-Star break, as he put up 20 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per start. And it was that flash of energy that gave the Suns hope that he could be part of their future.
