2015 NBA Draft results: Kelly Oubre picked by Atlanta Hawks, traded to Washington Wizards
Oubre is the latest one-and-done star off the board this year.
Kansas wing Kelly Oubre has been selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, but will be sent to the Washington Wizards, who acquired the pick from the Atlanta Hawks in a trade. He's the latest one-and-done college star off the board in a first round loaded with them.
Oubre entered Kansas as a five-star recruit and one of the top players in his class, but struggled to find a consistent spot in Bill Self’s rotation throughout his freshman season. He played more than 10 minutes just twice in his first seven games with the Jayhawks and didn’t reach double-digits in scoring until a breakout 25-point effort against Lafayette in late December.
The remainder of the season included some impressive outings, however, and there’s little doubt about Oubre’s upside. He’s got great size, measuring 6’7 and 203 pounds, and just needs to show that he’s willing to rein in his game and improve his ballhandling. Otherwise, he still has the upside of a solid 3-and-D wing.
Jake Whitacre of Bullets Forever, SB Nation’s Wizards blog, likes Oubre’s talent but is skeptical Washington will be the team to unleash it.
In short this is an exciting, but scary move. The Wizards' track record with projects like Oubre isn't great and this probably isn't the most encouraging sign if you want Paul Pierce to stick around.
The Wizards have a rock-solid backcourt in John Wall and Bradley Beal, but Oubre is much taller than both, and could be an excellent wing in smaller lineups for Washington. Oubre's potential as a big wing makes him a possible successor for fellow Kansas product Paul Pierce, who may leave the Wizards in free agency, as Whitacre suggests.
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