New York Knicks: Pros and cons of targeting Kelly Oubre in free agency
By Dalton Sell
New York Knicks: The pros of signing Kelly Oubre in 2021 NBA free agency
The New York Knicks must weigh their current options at small forward this offseason, making their reported interest in Oubre justifiable to entertain.
The small forward rotation for the Knicks is currently as thin as possible, with Kevin Knox II currently the only official player listed on the roster for next year. Knox, a former lottery pick of the Knicks, did not see much time in the lineup this season and has a murky future with the team as he has yet to pan out.
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Then there is the question of what is to come for Reggie Bullock, who started in 64 of the team’s 65 games this year. Bullock is set to hit free agency after a promising year with the team, and although Berman noted in an earlier report that there is interest between him and the Knicks to get a new deal done, who knows how that will play out.
New York desperately needs to add pieces to bulk up their small forward rotation this offseason, and Oubre fits the bill in that regard. The sixth-year forward could be a solid addition to the starting lineup, giving head coach Tom Thibodeau a versatile defender that will only bolster his team’s riveting defense that proved to be a catalyst in their success this season. Standing at 6’7″, with an impressive 7’2″ wingspan, Oubre would also give the team some much-needed athleticism in the lineup with his skills.
In addition to his defensive stature, the forward can also score the basketball when given a chance. Averaging 15.4 points per game this season, Oubre would also provide another high-level scoring option on the wing. Finally, Oubre fits the timeline for the current rising stars on this roster. The 26-year-old Julius Randle is coming off his first-ever All-Star season with room to grow, while 20-year-old sophomore guard RJ Barrett just took a massive leap this past season. Tossing a 25-year-old Oubre into the mix with those two could certainly help form a solid young trio moving forward.