Amid chirpings of potentially being dealt elsewhere, Kelly Oubre is hopeful to remain as a Charlotte Hornet.

“I hope they just keep my name out of it,” Oubre told Roderick Boone of Charlotte Observer. “I’m looking for a home somewhere where I can just win, and grow, and continue to perfect my craft and also help this city, help this organization. I love everyone on this team and this staff, so I would love to stay here.

“I’m from New Orleans. The New Orleans Hornets used to be my favorite team and now I play for the Charlotte Hornets. And it couldn’t come more full circle than that. So, hopefully God has got in His plan for me to stay.”

Oubre, an expiring asset, has a partially guaranteed salary this 2022-23 worth $12.6 million, making him a clear candidate to be traded ahead of next week’s trade deadline.

As such, he is enjoying the best season of his career so far, averaging a career-high 20.1 points to go with 5.1 boards in 35 total games played.