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Report: Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. to miss rest of season

Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr.

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 8: Kelly Oubre Jr. #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 8, 2020 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee March 3 and was to be re-evaluated in four weeks.

Fifteen weeks later…

Shams Charania of The Athletic:

Kelly Oubre is expected to sit out the resumption of the season, sources tell me. The plan is for Oubre to travel with the team to Orlando.

Players who choose not to play in the resumption – i.e., not injured players – face salary reductions. So, Oubre might have to undergo a medical evaluation, especially if the Suns think he should play. Oubre’s salary could be docked by $1,370,614 if it’s determined he’s healthy enough to play plus an additional $171,327 per play-in and playoff game Phoenix plays (with a cap of $2,398,575 in lost wages).

I’d be surprised if it came to that. A torn meniscus is no minor injury.

Plus, if Oubre is planning to join the Suns at Disney World, it doesn’t sound like he’s trying to dodge the ordeal of living in the bubble.

One hand, it’s surprising the Suns would use one of the limited spots in their travelling party on an injured player. But Oubre brings such infectious energy, he could boost the team’s spirit in a difficult situation.