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2015 NBA Draft: Kelly Oubre Drafted No. 15, Possibly Traded

By Mike Norris

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There was never a question if Kelly Oubre, Jr. had the talent to play in the NBA when he was a member of the Kansas Jayhawks.

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The only question was where he would be drafted.

When he first arrived at Kansas there was talk of lottery talent — and he missed that by one selection this year, going No. 15 to the Atlanta Hawks.

He never progressed as much as he and the team would like, but after a season that saw him average just over nine points per game, he still showed enough pure athleticism to be selected in the top 15 of the Draft.

It only takes one team to like a potential draft pick, and for Oubre that team was the Atlanta Hawks.

However, he was only a Hawk for a matter of minutes.

Oubre, who, potentially along with teammate Cliff Alexander, gives Kansas a one-and-done players for the fourth time in five seasons, was traded to the Washington Wizards.

The Hawks, who earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, are an athletic team and Oubre could have fit right in as a slashing wing.

Instead, he’ll be playing with another talented Eastern Conference team that lost to the Hawks in the second round of the playoffs this past season.

Oubre, who is not a superb shooter (44.4 percent at Kansas), does have a nice touch and should be able to find his way to the hoop through the paint if he can bulk up a bit.

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas mentioned during the draft telecast that he was a fan of the Hawks taking the former Jayhawk.

"“He is very athletic,” Bilas said. “I think he has a very high upside in the NBA. I really like Kelly Oubre in this spot.”"

Alas, Oubre won’t be playing in Atlanta, instead it will be DC for the New Orleans native. Or will it?

Minutes after he was taken, Oubra said word of a trade was news to him.

"“I haven’t heard anything,” he said. “Whoever gets me, is getting a jewel. I fee like I am a steal in this draft. I want to win a championship.”"

Nothing is official, but ESPN is reporting the trade will most likely happen.

While the Wizards have talent at the point and shooting guard positions in John Wall and Bradley Beal, Oubre could fit in as a slashing wing.

Oubre adds to the young talent on the Washington roster, but he’ll also be teamed up with legendary Jayhawk Paul Pierce.

One thing is for sure: There will be a lot of Kansas fans cheering for the Washington Wizards, and maybe even buying these shoes Oubre was rocking on stage.

Update: Although it’s still not confirmed by the NBA, the trade has all but happened per Yahoo Sports.

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