4 key offseason moves Golden State Warriors absolutely must make
By Mark Powell
3. Sign-and-Trade Kelly Oubre
The Warriors don’t have much need for Oubre beyond this season. He filled a need, especially when Thompson went down for the full season. Once he was able to get his sea legs under him, Oubre turned into a solid No. 2 scoring option behind Curry, and also allowed Draymond Green to focus more on his point-forward role.
Oubre will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. A sign-and-trade would be the best way for Golden State to get something in return for him, but still allow Oubre to determine his final location. It’s the least he can do for a franchise that took a chance on him after a tough downturn in Phoenix.
Still, Oubre is a talented enough player that the Warriors likely won’t be able to afford him, even on an RFA deal, and pay Curry in the same offseason. Luxury tax be damned.
Sure, Lacob could eat the money and use Oubre as a bench option, but dealing him for a player who better fits next year’s version of the Warriors with Thompson in tow makes more sense if he can find a taker.