Pacers Land Kelly Oubre Jr. for $82M, Outbid Lakers, 76ers

Rebuilding on a Tough Season

The Indiana Pacers endured a dismal 2025‑26 campaign, finishing 19‑63 without Tyrese Haliburton, who missed the year recovering from Achilles surgery. The loss of Haliburton starkly highlighted the franchise’s struggles after a Finals appearance the previous season. Compounding the difficulties, a midseason trade left the team without any draft picks this year. The deal sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first‑round selections and a second‑round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown.

Winning the Oubre Sweepstakes

Despite the limited assets, the Pacers earned credit for out‑dueling both the Lakers and the 76ers to secure the $82 million contract of former Warriors fan‑favorite forward Kelly Oubre Jr. The 30‑year‑old signed on Wednesday, with the franchise confirming he will wear number 10. The Nuggets‑acquired forward had been meeting with the Lakers and 76ers earlier in the summer, according to Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko.

What Oubre Brings to the Paint

Oubre’s skill set includes off‑ball cutting that creates scoring lanes, explosive straight‑line drives after poor closeouts, and versatile finishing in transition. His defensive hunger lets him roam the floor as a disruptive pest, often forcing turnovers. In the 2020‑21 season with Golden State, Oubre averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

• 14.1 pts, 5.0 reb, 1.4 steals (Warriors, 2020‑21)
• Versatile finisher and perimeter defender
• Known for aggressive floor‑ball activity

Expectations for the Rebuild

With Oubre in the fold, the Pacers hope the forward will become an instrumental piece in returning the franchise to competitiveness. The addition adds depth to a roster that missed the playoffs by a wide margin last season. Fans are watching closely to see if the $82 million investment translates into on‑court improvement in the coming years.

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