Lakers News: Free Agent Wing Could Do Wonders For LA After Career Year

Why is he still on the open market?

Hot off a career season with the (admittedly terrible) Charlotte Hornets, veteran combo forward Kelly Oubre Jr. is looking like the odd man out in the club's payroll after another free agent Hornets forward, P.J. Washington, inked a fresh three-year contract worth a projected $48 million or more.

Your Los Angeles Lakers boast two open spots on their standard 15-man roster, though rumor has it LA is hoping to sign an experienced big man to one of those openings while keeping the other vacancy open heading into the 2023-24 season.

So could the Lakers opt to pivot from their reported plan, and add a 27-year-old wing in his absolute prime who, while not a knockdown long-range shooter, is a credible two-way threat capable of feasting from the midrange and paint?

Across 48 games (he incurred a season-ending hand injury that required surgery in January) last year, Oubre averaged 20.3 points on .431/.319/.760 shooting splits, 5.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 assists. Charlotte was the 14th seed in the East with a 27-55 record, and somebody had to score, so Oubre with LA would take a major step back. 

The fact that the 6'7" swingman out of Kansas was so prolific, even on a bad team, remains intriguing, as do his athleticism and size. He could certainly spell LA All-Star LeBron James at small forward and probable starter Rui Hachimura at power forward, and what he lacks in consistent three-point shooting he makes up for in scoring and defense. 

Oubre is well worth a look, especially if his market has collapsed so significantly that he's looking like a possible veteran's minimum signing.

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