The Indiana Pacers have signed Kelly Oubre Jr. to a two-year deal. Is he just what the Pacers need to make another run for the NBA Finals? Amid the early Free Agency signings and blockbuster trades, the Indiana Pacers have remained quiet compared to other teams; however, as of Wednesday afternoon, they have officially agreed to a two-year deal worth nearly $17 million with free-agent forward Oubre Jr.
Is Kelly Oubre Jr. The Right Fit For The Indiana Pacers?
Oubre has been brought in to a Pacers team that is looking to rebound from their 19-63 season. Oubre, who has been in the NBA since 2015, will join his 6th team after spending the last 3 with the 76ers. In 50 games (starting 41 of them) for the 76ers last season, Oubre averaged 14.1 points, 1.6 assists, and 5.0 rebounds while connecting on 46.7% of his shot attempts and shooting 36% from beyond the arc.
Oubre provided consistent play as a forward for the 76ers through his three seasons there and looks to replicate that level of play with Indiana. The Pacers have been looking for another forward who can become a strong rotational piece and occasionally start, especially after the departure of former forward and guard Bennedict Mathurin, who was traded away to the Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade.
Why Signing Oubre Makes Sense
Throughout his career in the NBA, and especially during his stint with the 76ers, Oubre has built a reputation as a solid, up-tempo defender, while also boasting the ability to score consistently. Oubre’s ability to score and also make the occasional three-ball while providing fast and physical defense. With these attributes, Oubre will be able to fit perfectly into the culture and play style of Rick Carlisle and the Indiana Pacers. Indiana plays a very fast-paced game, and Oubre’s athletic ability and versatility are the exact needs the Pacers have been looking for in a forward.
One of the main reasons that Indiana got to the finals in the 24-25 season was because of their pace of play and relentless defense. At the same time, the Pacers had one of the deepest benches in the entire NBA. Oubre fits in perfectly for both the bench and the pace of play. Even though Oubre started most of the games he played with the 76ers, he will more than likely be one of the first off the bench for Indiana this upcoming season.
Oubre will probably be able to make a starting appearance every once in a while, but he will be mainly used off the bench to provide 20 or more minutes per game. The Pacers’ bench depth is increased with the presence of a consistent and veteran forward in Oubre. He will be playing behind forwards Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam, and will join core bench players T.J. McConnell, Jarace Walker, and Obi Toppin, making the Pacers’ roster a little bit scarier for opposing teams.
What’s Next For The Pacers
If the addition of Oubre Jr. reveals anything for the Pacers, it is that they are still a win-now team. Signing Oubre was a move to further bolster their roster and give star guard Tyrese Haliburton another player who can provide consistent scoring and defensive play. The Pacers have learned the lessons from this past playoffs and added a strong wing in Oubre. They have everything they need to succeed next season and make another playoff run.
By adding Zubac through a trade and now Oubre in free agency, the Pacers’ front office addressed core problems within their team and are improving their roster to be even stronger and their bench even deeper than when they made it to the finals in 2025. It is clear: Indiana is looking to replicate the success from their 24-25 finals run, but this time winning it.
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