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The Indiana Pacers entered NBA free agency with the signing of wing Kelly Oubre Jr., a 30-year-old, 11-year veteran, to a two-year, $17 million deal.
The 6-8 left-hander played the last three seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 14.9 points and 5.4 rebounds as a frequent starter. In 2025-26, he appeared in 50 games, scoring 14.1 points on a career-high 36.0% 3-point shooting with 5.0 rebounds. He missed time with elbow and knee injuries.
Indiana wants someone who can add scoring punch after trading Bennedict Mathurin mid-season for post player Ivica Zubac. Did they get the right player?
"No NBA team can have enough 3-and-D wings. That role is too valuable and too versatile. So, on the surface, adding Oubre to a group that already includes Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard and Ben Sheppard makes all the sense in the world.
"It is worth asking how many members of that group are actually reliable shooters. Nesmith is a given, at 39.6% from distance over four seasons in Indiana. But there's a curious trend with the other three members of Indiana's wing rotation.
"Oubre, Nembhard and Sheppard were all around 33% in their careers before last season, which is quite poor. But then they all improved to reach league-average accuracy. Oubre's jump was particularly notable because he had the greatest subpar track record heading into 2025-26; he shot a career-high 36% just one year after shooting 29% from distance.
"There's a potential downside here: If Oubre, Nembhard and Sheppard all regress to their career norms next season, Indiana's offense might not improve as much as expected with the return of Tyrese Haliburton because they'll miss a lot of 3s on kickout passes from their star point guard.
"But if the trio's league-average performance from distance is more than a one-year fluke, then Indiana might just have enough for a Finals return."
"A healthy Indiana Pacers team will be a force in the East once again next year and just got a little more dangerous on the wing.
"... He'll presumably come off the bench for Indiana, as part of a second unit that also includes Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, T.J. McConnell, Jay Huff, Ben Sheppard and others."
"... This does mean that the notoriously cheap ownership group in Indiana is staring at a roster that's $6.5 million over the luxury tax line.
"The value for Oubre at just over $8 million per year is good, although hopefully it doesn't force the front office to trim payroll somewhere else."
"Indiana looks to return to contention after a down season with Tyrese Haliburton recovering from the torn Achilles he suffered during the 2025 NBA Finals, and Oubre gives them another quality scoring threat on the wing."
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Pacers sign Kelly Oubre Jr. and get 'a little more dangerous': NBA free agency grades
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The 6-8 left-hander played the last three seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 14.9 points and 5.4 rebounds as a frequent starter. In 2025-26, he appeared in 50 games, scoring 14.1 points on a career-high 36.0% 3-point shooting with 5.0 rebounds. He missed time with elbow and knee injuries.
Indiana wants someone who can add scoring punch after trading Bennedict Mathurin mid-season for post player Ivica Zubac. Did they get the right player?
NBA free agency grades: Indiana Pacers sign Kelly Oubre Jr.
Zach Kram, ESPN: B
"No NBA team can have enough 3-and-D wings. That role is too valuable and too versatile. So, on the surface, adding Oubre to a group that already includes Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard and Ben Sheppard makes all the sense in the world.
"It is worth asking how many members of that group are actually reliable shooters. Nesmith is a given, at 39.6% from distance over four seasons in Indiana. But there's a curious trend with the other three members of Indiana's wing rotation.
"Oubre, Nembhard and Sheppard were all around 33% in their careers before last season, which is quite poor. But then they all improved to reach league-average accuracy. Oubre's jump was particularly notable because he had the greatest subpar track record heading into 2025-26; he shot a career-high 36% just one year after shooting 29% from distance.
"There's a potential downside here: If Oubre, Nembhard and Sheppard all regress to their career norms next season, Indiana's offense might not improve as much as expected with the return of Tyrese Haliburton because they'll miss a lot of 3s on kickout passes from their star point guard.
"But if the trio's league-average performance from distance is more than a one-year fluke, then Indiana might just have enough for a Finals return."
Bleacher report: A-
"A healthy Indiana Pacers team will be a force in the East once again next year and just got a little more dangerous on the wing.
"... He'll presumably come off the bench for Indiana, as part of a second unit that also includes Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, T.J. McConnell, Jay Huff, Ben Sheppard and others."
"... This does mean that the notoriously cheap ownership group in Indiana is staring at a roster that's $6.5 million over the luxury tax line.
"The value for Oubre at just over $8 million per year is good, although hopefully it doesn't force the front office to trim payroll somewhere else."
Dan Lyons, si.com
"Indiana looks to return to contention after a down season with Tyrese Haliburton recovering from the torn Achilles he suffered during the 2025 NBA Finals, and Oubre gives them another quality scoring threat on the wing."
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Pacers sign Kelly Oubre Jr. and get 'a little more dangerous': NBA free agency grades
Continue reading...
