The Philadelphia 76ers may have walked away with a win against the Sacramento Kings, but let’s be honest - that one didn’t inspire much confidence. The Kings have been one of the league’s most underwhelming squads this season, and yet the Sixers needed another fourth-quarter rally just to escape with a narrow victory on their home floor. The game itself raised more questions than it answered, especially when it comes to the rotation and how head coach Nick Nurse is deploying his personnel.
And front and center in that conversation? Kelly Oubre Jr.
Since returning from injury, Oubre has been a fixture in the starting lineup. But after his latest outing - 37 minutes, just four points, three rebounds, and only three shot attempts - it's clear something’s not clicking. That kind of stat line isn’t just an off night; it’s a sign that his current role might be holding him back more than helping the team.
Let’s not forget: Oubre is a natural scorer. He’s averaging over 14 points per game this season on nearly 50% shooting from the field, including a solid 37% from deep.
That’s efficient, confident offense - the kind that doesn’t just happen by accident. But when he's on the floor with four other shot creators in the starting unit, there just aren’t enough touches to go around.
Oubre's game thrives on rhythm, and right now, he’s not getting the opportunities he needs to find it.
That’s why a move to the bench makes all the sense in the world.
The Sixers’ second unit has been a weak spot all year. They rank 26th in the league in bench scoring - a number that continues to haunt a team with deep postseason aspirations.
Quentin Grimes, currently sidelined, has struggled to find his shot for months. Rookie Jared McCain is starting to settle in, but asking him to carry the scoring load off the bench is asking too much, too soon.
Enter Oubre.
Sliding him into a sixth-man role could be a game-changer. It gives him the green light to be the offensive focal point when the starters sit, and it injects much-needed scoring punch into a bench unit that’s desperately searching for identity. With Oubre leading that group, the Sixers could stagger minutes more effectively, maintain offensive pressure throughout the game, and give their young players a more balanced environment to develop.
That’s not a demotion - it’s a strategic shift. Oubre has proven his value, and the numbers back it up. But maximizing that value means putting him in a spot where his strengths aren’t just present - they’re featured.
There’s also a ripple effect to consider. If the Sixers opt to start someone like Dominick Barlow or Trendon Watford at the four, they get a more balanced starting five with a greater emphasis on defense, rebounding, and ball movement. That allows Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey to continue shouldering the offensive load without the redundancy of another volume scorer on the floor.
Ultimately, this is about optimization. The Sixers have a weapon in Oubre - a versatile, athletic wing who can create his own shot and swing momentum in a heartbeat.
But right now, that weapon isn’t being used to its full potential. A bench role could unlock that - and in the process, help fix one of Philly’s most glaring issues.
The Sixers are in the thick of the Eastern Conference race, and every edge matters. Moving Oubre to the bench isn’t about changing who he is - it’s about putting him in a position to do what he does best. And if that helps stabilize the bench and gives Philly a more complete rotation heading into the stretch run, it’s a move worth making.