After the Philadelphia 76ers’ heart-wrenching exit from the 2023-24 NBA season, Kelly Oubre Jr. took a moment to reflect on his time with coach Nick Nurse.
During a post-game press conference following the Sixers’ defeat in a challenging series against the New York Knicks, Oubre Jr. expressed his admiration for Nurse, stating, “He’s the best coach I’ve played for, straight up. His savviness, he’s a rock star, for real, so I can get with that. He coaches me tough.”
“He's the best coach I've played for, straight up.”
– Kelly Oubre on Nick Nurse
(Via @PHLY_Sixers ) pic.twitter.com/pGsWWNT0wR
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 3, 2024
However, Oubre’s praise comes at a pivotal juncture as he himself heads into free agency.
His standout performances throughout the season, including averaging 15.4 points and 5.0 rebounds, coupled with his impact during the playoffs, have positioned him favorably in the free-agent market.
Expressing his desire to feel valued and appreciated, Oubre Jr. emphasized the importance of respect and affection in his decision-making process.
“I just wanna be loved. I don’t know about the business side of it. I mean, I do, but I can’t tell you what I know because I represent myself right now. At the end of the day, I wanna go somewhere where they respect and they love me. It’s been nothing but love here, of course,” he remarked recently.
However, despite Oubre’s contributions and popularity among Sixers fans, the team may be unable to retain him due to financial constraints. Secured for a lower salary than his market value, the franchise finds itself financially restricted, making it challenging to present a competitive offer to keep him onboard.
Consequently, Oubre Jr.’s departure from Philadelphia appears increasingly likely, especially with several teams expected to vie for his services, recognizing his abilities as a top-tier contributor off the bench.
