Phoenix Suns: Who should be part of the long-term core in Phoenix?
By Jono Perilli
Who’s Missing: Kelly Oubre Jr.
Before I get hunted down by the commenters, let’s discuss why Kelly Oubre Jr. won’t be apart of the long-term core for Phoenix.
Well firstly, one huge alarm sign is the fact the Suns were listening to trade offers for Oubre at the trade deadline. This should automatically ring alarm bells for any sign we’ll be seeing Oubre Jr. apart of their long-term core.
It’s not as if he’s disappointing or anything, he’s playing out of his mind, averaging 19.0 points per game, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Oubre is the definition of an athletic all-rounder, he’s an absolute boss in the paint, a decent shooter (36.1 percent from 3-point range) as well as a frightening on-ball defender. He’s also only 24. He’s exactly what the Suns should want in the future, period.
But, let’s relate it back to the alarm bells, those trade offers that Phoenix were listening to back at the trade deadline. Of course, this could change by the offseason, but it’s alarming.
Personally, Phoenix would be fine to trade Kelly Oubre Jr., for the right price. They would be smart to trade him in a package for a star player, or maybe even a point guard for the future, such as Devonte’ Graham or Malcolm Brogdon.
That’s why Phoenix will try to ship Oubre Jr. for a star asset or picks. If the whole Cameron Johnson experiment works, we’ll most likely see Oubre ousted from their blueprint.