Former Wizard Replacing An All-Star Talent In The East
In the NBA, we live in a time where the players have a lot of control of their situations. They can force their way out of a situation or team and they can pick and choose where they ultimately want to go. That is the case for James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers. He has made it very clear that he will not suit up and play for the team again after calling Sixers GM Daryl Morey a liar. Harden has done the 76ers favors by taking less money so the team can sign other talents to help the team win. Harden has went on the record to say he wanted to retire with the Philadelphia 76ers. However, the team had other plans when they didn’t offer him a longterm deal. It appears James Harden has played his final game with the 76ers.
The best moves in free agency and when trading are the moves that no one sees coming. Kelly Oubre was a free agent for awhile this past summer. The Philadelphia 76ers signed him to a one-year deal which may turn out to become a longterm deal in the end. The former Washington Wizard product has been phenomenal for the Sixers this preseason. He’s been so good, it appears he may be the replacement for James Harden.
Tyrese Maxey is an up and coming guard in this league. He had a breakout season last year playing next to Harden. He played off ball and it worked. He has skills to play with the ball too. Last season, he learned a lot next to Harden and that may help him as he is the next man up to lead the offense now that Harden has asked out. While Maxey is running the show at point guard, Kelly Oubre could be the scoring guard/forward the Sixers desperately need.
Oubre was a pleasant surprise for the Charlotte Hornets last season as he averaged a career high 20 PPG. He is an inch taller than James Harden and almost 20 pounds lighter than him as well. They both are lefties. However, Oubre is seven years younger than “The Beard.” With that, he is the more explosive and dynamic player today. He doesn’t shrink in big moments like the playoffs like James Harden and he won’t be acceptant to injury like the older Harden is nowadays. Kelly Oubre may very well be an upgrade from the former MVP James Harden.
