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Pacers Sign Kelly Oubre Jr. to Two-Year $17 M Deal

7/2/2026

Summary

Oubre Joins Pacers

The Indiana Pacers signed forward Kelly Oubre Jr. to a fully guaranteed two-year, $17 million contract using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception under the first apron.
Oubre averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 50 games in 2025-26, shooting 46.7 % overall and a career-high 36 % from three.
Indiana will use Oubre off the bench, replacing Bennedict Mathurin and adding depth for Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nembhard or Chris Nesmith.

Summary

Pacers Seek Depth

The Pacers finished 2025-26 19-63 after star guard Tyrese Haliburton missed the year with an Achilles tear.
Indiana acquired center Ivica Zubac at the February deadline, surrendering a top-five pick in this year’s draft.
With one roster spot left, the Pacers aim to add a backup center for front-court depth.
Tight cap space forces reliance on veteran mid-level contracts and frames the Oubre signing as a “win-now” move.

History

Historical Context

On July 6 1999 the NBA and NBPA ratified a new collective bargaining agreement that introduced a $1 million “exception,” later becoming the mid-level salary exception that lets teams add flexible contracts. The rule emerged from the 1999 lockout settlement and marked a shift toward cap-flexibility, a trend that continues to shape roster building under subsequent CBAs.

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Oubre Joins Pacers

The Indiana Pacers signed forward Kelly Oubre Jr. to a fully guaranteed two-year, $17 million contract using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception under the first apron.
Oubre averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 50 games in 2025-26, shooting 46.7 % overall and a career-high 36 % from three.
Indiana will use Oubre off the bench, replacing Bennedict Mathurin and adding depth for Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nembhard or Chris Nesmith.

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