Charlotte Hornets sign versatile young forward Kelly Oubre Jr.

Early Friday morning the Charlotte Hornets made their second signing of free agency, agreeing to a two-year deal with former Golden St. Warriors forward, Kelly Oubre Jr. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that it would be a $26 million-plus deal.

Oubre, 25, is entering his seventh season in the NBA and will already be joining his fourth team with Charlotte. Oubre started his career by being drafted 15th overall by the Washington Wizards. During his fourth season in Washington, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns in a deal for Trevor Ariza as Washington tried to bring in more veteran pieces to surround John Wall and Bradley Beal for a playoff push.

Oubre played well for Phoenix, in the 2019-20 season he averaged 18.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game but his season was cut short due to a knee injury and he wouldn’t return later in the year to participate in the NBA bubble. During the following offseason, he was traded to Oklahoma City in the Chris Paul trade and was then flipped to Golden State a few days later.

Oubre had a rough start in Golden State season, he started the year historically bad from three-point range. He would turn it around appearing in 55 games, starting 50, playing 30.7 minutes per game, and averaging 15.4 points and 6 rebounds, shooting 43.9% from the field and 31.6% from three.

Oubre will add coveted wing depth to the Hornets roster that was so desperately needed. He isn’t the pure “3&D” player that they might have been looking for but he’s serviceable on defense and will likely be Charlotte’s best perimeter defender. Oubre adds versatility and athleticism to a Hornets roster that was already looking to excel in this department.

Charlotte already has Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward starting on the wings so it’s highly unlikely that Oubre will start. Oubre does provide great depth and could slot in as a starter if the injury-prone Hayward goes down again.

Oubre will likely be asked to provide the bench scoring that recently departed Devonte’ Graham and Malik Monk brought over the past couple of seasons. He may not be as great of a shooter but his athleticism allows him to get to the basket and he excels in transition which should be great alongside LaMelo Ball.