Kelly Oubre Jr To Replace PJ Tucker in Starting Lineup For The Short Term
Trading James Harden didn’t have much impact on the current Sixers rotation, because he was not playing. But one of the guys thrown into the deal, PJ Tucker, left a spot open in the starting lineup. Replacing Tucker’s production is not that difficult, because he was not scoring much. But someone needs to step in and play the minutes he was playing, and it looks like we have an answer, at least for now, from Nick Nurse. Kelly Oubre Jr will get the first shot replacing Tucker in the starting lineup.
Tucker and Oubre are very different players. As we mentioned, Tucker brought very little on-court production. But what he did add was toughness and defense. Oubre does not bring all that much in terms of defense. Instead, he adds a lot as a scorer. Oubre is averaging 19 points over the first 3 games and is coming off a season where he scored 20 per game.
As Paul Hudrick mentioned though, that does not seem like the ideal long-term fit. Kelly Oubre has been the lone source of offense off the bench. Adding him to the starting lineup, and replacing Tucker, may help improve the offense when the starters are on the court. But it makes the bench offense a bit weaker. And with Embiid, Harris, and Maxey, you may want someone more defensive-focused with the starters, and save Oubre to bring some scoring off the bench.
The new guys, like Robert Covington, Nic Batum, Marcus Morris, and KJ Martin may take a few games to get acclimated into the Sixers system. One of them could maybe eventually start, putting Oubre back on the bench. Or the 5th starter could come when they eventually flip the picks they got back for Harden, as many assume they will do. But for now, it will be Kelly Oubre getting the first shot at starting alongside Embiid, Maxey, Harris, and Melton.
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Evaluating All 9 Assets in the Return Package for James Harden
Marcus Morris
Marcus Morris is an accomplished NBA veteran who has played 850 regular-season and playoff games. The Philadelphia native might have something left in the tank after playing 65 games in 2022-23, but he hasn’t played in a game yet this season.
His value in the trade has nothing to do with his fit in Philadelphia and everything to do with an annual salary of over $17 million coming off the books after the 2023-24 season.
Don’t expect him to play much of a role for the 76ers. It’s possible he never puts on the uniform.
Robert Covington
The irony of Robert Covington is real. The former Sam Hinkie acquisition became a microcosm of key talking points surrounding The Process during his first tenure with the Sixers from 2014-18.
He probably has a little bit more left in the tank than fellow veteran shooter Danny Green. However, expect the bigger takeaway of Covington’s second stint with the Sixers to have more to do with Process debates than what’s happening on the floor.
Nicolas Batum
Expiring contracts carry value in the NBA. Nicolas Batum will turn 35 in six weeks. He hasn’t averaged double figures since 2017-18, but his $11.7 million annual salary comes off the books after 2023-24.
Kenyon Martin Jr.
The 22-year-old Kenyon Martin Jr. has just begun his fourth NBA season. He averaged 12.7 points for the Houston Rockets in 2022-23. He is the only player the Sixers acquired in the trade who might have a legitimate long-term upside.
However, the organization likely sees more value in his expiring contract.
2028 Unprotected First-Round Pick
It’s not like it’s ever a bad thing to acquire an extra first-round pick in a trade. However, consider that the player selected with this pick might be 13 or 14 years old right now.
The Sixers might not make this selection, especially considering that Daryl Morey doesn’t have the long-term stability within the organization to focus on loading up future picks that he doesn’t plan on moving.
Two Second-Round Picks
It’s good to add sweeteners to any trade. Fans of the 76ers got used to acquiring second-round picks while Sam Hinkie was in charge, and they probably know that they shouldn’t expect them to materialize into much.
2029 Pick Swap
The right to a pick swap could help the 76ers gain a better draft position in 2029. For now, all it does is remind their fan base of a similar move Hinkie made in 2015 that led to a dooming chain of events.
The Sixers used the swap to move up to the third spot in the 2017 NBA Draft. They used the advantageous position to make the infamous deal with the Boston Celtics to acquire the top pick in the draft and select Markelle Fultz.
This one has to turn out better. Right?
First-Round Pick From Unannounced NBA Team
The difference between the top of the first round and the bottom of the first round is greater in the NBA Draft than it is in any other sport. Wait and see which team must send the future first-rounder to the Sixers before evaluating the asset.
The Real Acquisition: Salary Cap Space and Roster Flexibility
Analyzing the return package for James Harden singularly doesn’t tell the whole story.
Daryl Morey needed to move Harden, and he didn’t have much leverage to do so. Therefore, he had a tough time getting anything notable that affects the short-term status of the team.
His goal is to set the Sixers up for an additional move that actually helps them on the floor. He now has flexibility that didn’t exist with James Harden on the roster.
