NBA Notes: Sixers, Kelly Oubre Jr, Suns, Jalen Green, Raptors

76ers

Kelly Oubre Jr. is not going anywhere. At least not if the Sixers have a say.

Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Oubre has become too valuable for Philadelphia to seriously consider moving at the deadline, even though he is on an expiring deal.

With the Sixers trending toward playoff contention, the thinking is simple: What Oubre brings on the wing is not easily replaceable.

He has bounced between shooting guard, small forward, and power forward, taken on tough defensive assignments, and hit 38 percent from three. That versatility matters. The production matters. The experience matters.

“He plays both ends, right?” coach Nick Nurse said. “I think that’s the main thing. He’s been pretty effective on both ends… He’s in about his 10th year. He’s got a lot of stuff under his belt. A lot of minutes. A lot of games, too. That helps.”

Pompey notes the only real upside of trading Oubre would be cap flexibility, and that feels like an offseason problem, not a midseason one.

Suns

Jalen Green avoided bad news. Now Phoenix waits.

Duane Rankin of AZ Central reports that Green’s MRI revealed no new injury after he exited Friday’s game early. Suns coach Jordan Ott called it encouraging.

“That’s great news for us,” Ott said. “Get a workout today, and we’ll see where he goes this week.”

Green is considered day-to-day, but availability has been an issue as he works his way back from a hamstring injury. He has now twice returned for one game before exiting the next shortly after tip.

“It was just so unlucky,” Ott said. “We know he’s an incredible healer and a guy that’s gonna do everything it takes to play the next one.”

Raptors

Jakob Poeltl’s back is shaping Toronto’s deadline.

Josh Lewenberg of TSN reports that Poeltl’s indefinite absence with a lower back strain has complicated the Raptors’ plans. The organization prefers patience with a center under contract through 2029-30, but the lack of recovery progress is now a major variable.

Toronto has been linked to several high-level big men, including Domantas Sabonis, but Poeltl’s uncertain timeline looms over every decision. His health may ultimately dictate whether the Raptors hold steady or get aggressive.