NBA

#15 Atlanta Hawks: Kelly Oubre

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The Atlanta Hawks selected forward Kelly Oubre from the University of Kansas with the No. 15 overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft. However, Oubre was immediately dealt to the Washington Wizards in a trade that landed the Hawks the No. 19 overall selection and two future second round picks according to the reports.

Oubre was a ballyhooed prospect heading into his freshman season of college but in many ways didn’t live up to the high expectations, struggling to earn a spot in the Jayhawks’ rotation early on – which is highly unusual for a five-star prospect in the one and done era.

With future Hall of Fame forward Paul Pierce possibly opting out and leaving, the Wizards were in the hunt for additional depth on the wing to pair alongside former lottery pick Otto Porter Jr. In Oubre, the Wizards found an athletic prospect with a high upside that won’t be pressured to contribute immediately in their rotation.

Oubre averaged 9.3 points, 5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 21 minutes during his lone season at Kansas. While the numbers weren’t overwhelming overall, Oubre played much better during the latter stages of the season and impressed officials in workouts leading up to the draft.

In a lineup with Bradley Beal and John Wall, a guy like Oubre won’t be asked to carry a lion’s share of work, which gives him a great opportunity to find a niche role on a playoff team.