Kelly Oubre Jr. is not a stranger to trade. In his six seasons in the NBA, he played in four different teams. This is the hardest part of the job.
When rumors started circulating about Oubre on Tuesday afternoon, nothing was known to him. But that doesn’t make it any less challenging to face.
“I always tell players that, and I told Kelly: this is where you really make your money,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the 123-111 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. “The basketball section is the easy part. But packing your family and going away, getting injured, talking or reading your name in trade rumors is not an easy thing. I was really proud of Kelly. He has “He’s handling it really well … He’s coming in and playing one of his best games. He was really the key that we finally got some traction in the game in the second quarter.”
Kerr texted Oubre on Wednesday afternoon, reminding him not to let the rumors get in his head. After the game, Kerr approached Oubre again and let him know how proud he was.
Rumors surrounding Oubre include him being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans for Lonzo Ball and JJ Redick. According to Kerr, a coach called the Warriors Tuesday morning to simply ask about Oubre, but no offer was made formally or informally.
These conversations and rumors are almost impossible to ignore. Oubre was well aware of them. But he did not believe they influenced his game. If they did, they would only have had a positive impact.
Oubre scored 16 points in the second quarter of the Warriors victory – the most he has ever scored in a single period. During the 18 games that Oubre played in a Golden State uniform, and the six games that he played more with the second unit, Oubre shows his increasing comfort with the team. He has more confidence in what he is doing, which leads to him playing with better execution and efficiency.
“Just being able to lead the charge, play with the guys and continuously bring energy to the second unit, is a great lock for me,” Oubre said. “Running takes my time, finding my rhythm.”
Oubre ended the evening with 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, nine rebounds, three assistants, two steals and one block, and also brought something that would not appear in the goal kick, but which was crucial for them victory: energy and performance. He accepts charges, flies for a poster of Naz Reid and picks up another celebration from his repertoire.
“I like acting,” Oubre said. “My job is to go there and perform and give a show. Obviously there are no fans this year, so it’s kind of something that takes the element of the game off, but it’s part of my job. “Going there and making people feel like they’re on the track or feel the energy off the track. That’s an invisible element in this game that I like.”
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He had another tough Wednesday night. Maybe it was just that someone had to take the Warriors out of the silence with which they started the game. Maybe it was he who got his groove back after two early offenses sent him to the bank. Or he’s trying to prove something.
Whether it was directly for the Warriors, or for those outside the organization who said he should not be here, he sent a message. It was clear on the court, but if it was not so, he spelled it out after the game.
“I’m a fighter,” Oubre said. “Let’s get this f-king ring.”