Feb 7, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) dunks in the first half against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
As Quentin Grimes remains unsigned and many speculate which of the many possibilities will become reality, one Sixers rumor has led to the player involved speaking out amidst his perceived mistreatment by the fanbase.
Earlier this week, in a rundown of NBA rumors for Bleacher Report, NBA Insider Jack Fischer discussed the ongoing Quentin Grimes contract negotiations. Among the information discussed, Fischer stated that there had been “buzz” throughout the summer of the Sixers potentially trading one or both of Andre Drummond or Kyle Oubre to open up additional salary for negotiations with Grimes.
Those rumors—or, more accurately, the fanbase’s response to them—have reached Kelly Oubre’s ears. The Sixers’ wing took to Instagram to express his feelings on the matter.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) poses for a photo on media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex.
“I love Philly,” Oubre commented. “But the love doesn’t seem to be reciprocated. What happened to this place? And for those saying I’m garbage because my 3% went down. $till put up numbers and I’d $till cook you. I played through finger surgery’s on my (left hand) thumb and pinky for three years, but $till put my soul in this s–t. That’s one thing only GOD can take from me. Hope to see y’all $oon. Godspeed”
Does Oubre have a point?
Let’s break this down piece by piece, starting with Oubre’s claim of loving Philly. How many athletes come to Philadelphia and actually love the city and its people? Contrary to what folks on a national scale may say or expect, the answer is actually a large number of former Philly athletes.
Eagles legends Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, Harold Carmichael, and many more. Flyers greats Bernie Parent and John LeClaire, along with fan favorite Keith Jones, all live in the area and are even employed by the team after their retirement. Former Phillies star and World Series MVP Cole Hammels returned to the Philadelphia area post-retirement, joining the likes of John Kruk and Ricky Bottalico. I could go on.
Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox celebrates with Eagles fans at an ultimate fan experience thrown by Bud Light at Xfinity Live!
The point is: Yes, many athletes love Philadelphia, and Oubre is no exception.
“This is my home. My family lives here. I live here. I represent this city. I represent this community.”
That is the message Oubre had for me as we discussed his affinity for Philadelphia last season.
A stop on his journey? Perhaps. Given the often brutal nature of the NBA business, many athletes treat cities like hotel rooms. However, for Oubre, one who is, for better or on occasion worse, more in tune with his own thoughts and emotions than others, it truly is personal.
So Oubre loves Philadelphia, and that love is, by all appearances, sincere. Still, as just mentioned, the NBA is a cold and bitter mistress. Professional sports is a results-based industry, whether you’re a player, coach, or front office executive.
So, despite Oubre’s love for Philadelphia, do the fans, specifically those who encourage these trade rumors—there is a minority who have spoken out against and a likely large portion who are generally indifferent—have a point?
Do the fans have a point?
Kelly Oubre is a flawed NBA player.
He tends to overdribble without a capable enough handle and showcases occasional lapses in judgment on the court. As many are quick to reference, his three-point shot has not been a strength—Oubre himself has mentioned on multiple occasions—since the surgery he underwent during the 2022-2023 NBA season.
Mar 6, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
The Sixers are also buried in a wave of talent on the wing thanks to the drafting of VJ Edgecombe this offseason, the rise of Justin Edwards, and the expected return of Quentin Grimes. Factor in the expected role of Paul George, and it can be fairly argued that Oubre is perhaps more of a luxury than a necessity.
Where fans get the issue wrong, and Oubre is correct, is in their quickness to dismiss his contributions on the court.
In too prominent a role, Oubre’s play is frankly troublesome. But, in a well-defined role, Oubre is among the more useful Swiss-Army tools in the NBA.
He initiates and pushes the fast break, is willing and able to operate out of the dunker’s spot, and has proven to still be a capable spot-up shooter from the right spots on the floor. For what it’s worth, he hit 35.1% of his corner threes last season.
Oubre was also among just four players last year with 250 or more deflections, the others being Nikola Jokic, Keon Ellis, and Dyson Daniels. He was tenth in the league in steals per game and led the Sixers in dunks during the 2023-2024 season. He finished just one dunk behind Adem Bona for the team lead last season.
Again, it’s all about the role Oubre is asked to play.
If the Sixers are a competitive team next season, for which the team’s Big 3 being somewhat healthy is a prerequisite, then Oubre will have the opportunity to play his role and do so effectively.
As soon as Oubre is gone, fans will be asking for a player who checks the very same boxes he did.
In the end
Feb 11, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr.(9) reacts against the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Professional athletes—and all persons of notoriety, for that matter—are generally better off staying away from comment sections and social media in general. Oubre confronting his detractors in their lair serves no practical purpose, and for his own sake and as a student of the ideologies of Bruce Lee, Oubre is better served either expelling or channeling the negative feelings this discourse has left him with.
Still, one cannot fault Oubre for being human. After all, as fans far too often forget, that’s exactly what he and other professional athletes are.