Weighing Whether Celtics Should Sign Kelly Oubre

Kelly Oubre averaged 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 32.3 minutes in 48 games with the Hornets last season.

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The Celtics have two full-time roster spots open, and they're $4.2 million below the second apron, per Spotrac.

Boston's required to fill at least one of those vacancies, and there are still plenty of intriguing options in free agency, plus players who could become available by the end of the preseason.

One of the accomplished veterans who remains unsigned is Kelly Oubre. The former 15th overall pick spent the last two years with the Hornets. Last season, he averaged 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 32.3 minutes in 48 games.

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The drawback is he's not a particularly effective three-point shooter, making him a questionable fit in Joe Mazzulla's offense, which, even by the standards of today's NBA, puts a premium on that ability and the floor spacing it provides.

For his career, the former Kansas Jayhawk star has hoisted 4.7 shots from beyond the arc per contest, converting them at a 33 percent clip, which is below league average.

While Oubre launched 7.3 threes in 2021-22 and knocked down 34.5 percent, he made only 31.9 percent of the 7.1 he attempted last season. However, according to NBA.com, he drilled 38.3 percent of the 2.2 corner threes he took, suggesting he could prove more effective by mostly spotting up there and limiting his attempts from above the break.

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The six-foot-seven forward is a more skilled slasher than a shooter, and he does well finishing at the rim, evidenced by his converting on 60.4 percent of his 250 total attempts in the restricted area in 2022-23, per NBA.com.

Oubre also utilizes his size and seven-foot-two wingspan to operate effectively as a versatile on-ball and impactful help defender who can stay in front of drivers, disrupt passing lanes, and dislodge the ball when stunting or digging down to the low post.

Oubre, who has one of the NBA's best nicknames, Tsunami Papi, turns 28 in December, meaning the Celtics would be adding a player in his prime. He's talented enough to earn more minutes than Oshae Brissett, who's also not known for his shooting, making 34.4 percent of his 2.8 attempts for his career.

Like the latter, he'd bring grit and energy off the bench, something Boston will need even more after losing starting point guard Marcus Smart and Grant Williams this offseason.

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Signing Oubre would also make it less likely Boston's relying on 19-year-old Jordan Walsh if there's an injury in the front court. While the rookie offers plenty of promise, especially on defense, he's early in his development and needs to add muscle.

And while Oubre made $12.6 million with the Hornets last season, and there are teams capable of offering him the mid-level exception, if Mazzulla's on board with how he'd fit with the Celtics and the former enticed by his opportunity for minutes on a championship contender, Boston could sign the eight-year veteran for the minimum or offer a bit more while staying under the second apron, utilizing a chunk of the $5 million taxpayer mid-level exception.

While not the cleanest fit in Mazzulla's offense, if he's open to the role he'd have off the bench in Boston, as a productive and versatile two-way forward, Oubre could prove a helpful addition to the Celtics' pursuit of Banner 18.

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